Brockhurst was the most celebrated portrait painter of his day and luminaries such as The Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, J.Paul Getty and Mrs Paul Mellon all sat to him. His success was based on his superb draughtsmanship which he displayed in a beautiful series of drawings and a well known group of etchings.
Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978), Lady with Earrings, 1919
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Pencil, 8 x 5 1/2 in (20 x 14 cm)
Signed and dated
Collections: With Colnaghi’s where acquired by Lt .Col. Sir Cuthbert Headlam (1876-1964), BT.,MP.,DSO.,OBE
The subject of the current drawing is probably the artist’s wife Anais Frolin. The Brockhursts married in 1914 and moved that year to Ireland where they lived until 1919. In Ireland Brockhurst was closely associated with Augustus John whose influence can be seen in the fusion of delicacy and directness in this exquisite drawing.
The work was formerly owned by the MP Sir Cuthbert Headlam. After distinquished service in the War Headlam became a Minister at the Admiralty, the Ministry of Pensions and The Ministry of Transport.