Portrait of Mrs. Theodore Havemeyer

1891

The subject is depicted full length, seated in front of Louis XV bureau-plat next to an ormolu-mounted Satsumi urn with lavender roses. The vase and bureau plat were borrowed by Muller-Ury for the sitting from Duveen Brothers' 5th Avenue Gallery and led to the portraitist's first meeting Joseph Duveen. The subject is wearing Worth-inspired gold trimmed white silk gown and clutching a pink-silk lined, lace-trimmed cloak draped over chair with her right hand. There is a gold-edged paper fan in lowered left hand. Signed lower left: 'A. MULLER URY 1891'. Adolfo Muller-Ury (1862-1947) was a sought after society portrait artist at the turn-of-the-century. Friend of Lord Duveen; by 1920, charged $20,000 a portrait. Subject: Nee Emilie de Loosey (daughter of Chevalier Charles de Loosey, Austrian Ambassador to the U.S.) (Oct.12 1840-May 3, 1914) wife of Theodore Havemeyer: sportsman, founder of Newport Country Club; head of American Sugar Refining Co.; Newport residence: 'Friedheim' now ('Sherwood') on Bellevue Ave. Later family moved to Harrison Ave. property known as 'Freidheim II'.

American

Oil on canvas

85" x 70"

Gift of Mrs. Florence H. Robinson.

PSNC.1482

The Magazine Antiques 'Newport' April, 1995; p.608