GEORGE FREDERIC WATTS, O.M., R.A. | Portrait of Dorothy Dene

Donated by the artist for sale on behalf of the Artist's War Fund, Christie's, 24 February 1900, no. 158 as A Portrait Study;
G. Lloyd Engstrom;
Sotheby's, 23 November 1966, lot 115;
Sotheby's, 26 June 1968, lot 21;
Sotheby's, 19 November 1969, lot 152;
Sotheby's, 23 June 1987, lot 66;
Mr and Mrs Geddes;
Christie's, 24 November 1989, lot 93B, where purchased by Seymour Stein

London, Grafton Gallery, Exhibition of Dramatic and Musical Art, 1897, no. 198

Mrs Russell Barrington, Reminiscences of G. F. Watts, 1905, pp. 88-89;
Veronica Franklin Gould, G.F. Watts – The Last Great Victorian, 2004, p.166-167

This picture is unlined and is in very good condition. The paint surface appears to be stable and there is only a very small area of fine craquelure to the right-side of the girl's hair. The canvas is a little slack and would benefit from being re-stretched. UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT There are localised retouchings to her fringe, to her eyes and to her neck. There is a line of horizontal retouching in the lower section of the picture corresponding to the lower stretcher bar and there are minor flecked retouchings in the background and to the girl's dress which have been well-executed and are not excessive. FRAME The picture is contained in the original 'Watts-style' frame typically used by the artist.
"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."

The actress and noted artist's model Dorothy Dene was born Ada Alice Pullen in 1859. She was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in London and there were rumours that she was Leighton's mistress. Tragically she died aged only forty. 'The late Dorothy Dene, besides being a clever writer, artist, and actress, possessed remarkable beauty, and posed for several of the late Lord Leighton's classical pictures, notably "Greek Girls Playing at Ball" and "Cymon and Iphigenia." She was greatly loved, and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.' (The Era, London, Saturday, 30 December 1899, p.14a) She posed twice for Watts, first in March 1888 when he painted her head during a two-hour sitting (private collection) of which the present picture appears to be another version. She also posed for fanciful pictures such as Olympus on Ida exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1888 and reputedly also posed for his famous Hope.

‘Leighton himself admitted that he was unable to capture her colouring, and the two portraits by Watts were generally considered to be better likenesses.’
Richard and Leonee Ormond, Lord Leighton, 1975, p.134