Sir John Lavery, R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A., 1856 - 1941

Jane May and Marguerite Eardley Wilmot, the sister's of Edna May, until 1951;
Christie's, 10 May 1974, lot 231, where acquired by The Stone Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne

Walter Shaw Sparrow, John Lavery and his Art, n.d.,  pp. 187-8.

The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd, 13 & 14 Mason's Yard, Duke Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 6BU: UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas is unlined on the original stretcher and is inscribed on the reverse and is providing a secure and stable structural support. Paint surface The paint surface has a cloudy and uneven varnish layer and would undoubtedly respond very well to cleaning and revarnishing. No retouchings are visible under ultra-violet light. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in excellent and original condition and should be transformed by cleaning and revarnishing. Please contact the department on 0207 293 5575 if you have any questions about the present lot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Edna May Pettie (1878-1948) was a famous American actress who made her debut in New York in 1895. Lavery painted her dressed  in her most famous role, as the Salvation Army girl Violet Grey in The Belle of New York, a musical comedy by Hugh Morton and Gustave Kerker, a runaway success in 1897 which played to full houses for almost two years. Thereafter her reputation grew on both sides of the Atlantic. When, in 1907, with her impending marriage to the New York millionaire 'Copper King', Oscar Lewisohn, she announced her retirement, young male devotees apparently unhitched the horses from her carriage and pulled it from the Aldwych Theatre to the Ritz Hotel, where she was dining. At this time Lavery painted her in the role that had made her a celebrity. Two other portraits by Lavery of Edna May are recorded – one a large full-length, the other, Edna May in Black (both unlocated).