Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are offering for sale this lovely portrait of a young 1920s lady, by the artist Mary Langdon Edis (Lady Bennett), who has signed the painting Edis in the lower left hand corner. The painting depicts a half length seated portrait of a young lady wearing a cloche hat over her dark, bobbed hair. She is wearing a cream coloured embroidered top with a matching scarf in tones of coral, greys and black. She epitomises the 1920s.

Mary Langdon Edis was born in London on 31st August 1881, although some of the census records give her birthdate as 1879. She was one of seven children, four of whom were step-siblings, and her father was an accountant. By 1911, she was living at home in Hampstead, 126 Abbey Road NW6, and was listed as an artist. In 1916, she married Thomas Penberthy Bennett, an architect, who was later to become Sir Thomas Penberthy Bennett KBE FRIBA and who became Minister for Bricks and Director for Works during WW2. He was knighted in 1946. He was responsible for many notable buildings in London, and Crawley and Stevenage New Towns. She died in 1976, followed by her husband in 1980.

In her career as an artist, she exhibited from 1916-1940, some 23 paintings, including 3 at the Royal Academy, Royal Oil Painters Institute 7 and 8 at the Society of Women Artists. One of her portraits hangs in the National Portrait Gallery and can be viewed on google. As a 20th Century portraitist, (she also painted some landscapes), most of her work may still be in private hands, as very little comes to the market. She is listed in The Dictionary of British Artists (Collectors' Club).

The painting has been newly framed in a 5" silver gilt frame. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size: 23 1/2" x 17 5/8" - 59.65cm x 44.75cm

Frame size: 33 5/8" x 27 5/8" - 85.4cm x 70.15cm

Medium: Oils on unlined canvas

Condition: Very good. The canvas has been cleaned and revarnished and is now in very good condition. There is some craquelure and stretcher marks consistent with age. The frame is new.