WILFRID GABRIEL DE GLEHN, R.A. | Blue and Gold

Spanierman Gallery, New York, 1997;

Private collection

T. Martin Wood, 'The Paintings of Wilfrid G. von Glehn,' Studio Magazine, June 1912, illustrated p.9;

L. Wortley, Wilfred Gabrield de Glehn, John Singer Sargent's Painting Companion, exh.cat., Spanierman Gallery, New York, 1997, illustrated p.25;

L. Wortley, Wilfred de Glehn, A Painter's Journey, not dated, illustrated pl.25 p.47

Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Autumn Exhibition, 1911, no.1073 as The Yellow Dress;

Venice, The Venice Biennale International, 1912;

Pittsburg, Carnegie Institute, 1913 as Bleu et Or;

New York, Spanierman Gallery, Wilfred Gabriel de Glehn (1870-1951), John Singer Sargent's Painting Companion, 1997, no.7

The composition of Blue and Gold was based upon de Glehn's portrait of his wife Jane de Glehn at Cheyne Walk of 1904. In the present work a professional model wears the same gold dress and sits on a love-seat which appears in a number of other works by the artist from this period, perhaps consciously echoing similarly ornate furniture favoured by John Singer Sargent for his portraits. The work was originally titled The Yellow Dress when it was exhibited in Liverpool in 1911 but de Glehn renamed it the following year to avoid confusion with the earlier picture. The model sits in a relaxed and languid pose and the elegant brushstrokes clearly show the influence of Sargent.