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Find your local specialistGertrude Massey (British, 1868-1957)
Signed on obverse and dated Gertrude Massey/ 1901, gold frame with gilt-metal reverse.
Oval, 73mm (2 7/8in) high
Exhibited: Royal Academy, London, 1904
The Alpine Club Gallery, Conduit Street, London, 1928, no.38
Footnotes
The present lot was painted at Osborne and Balmoral in 1901 at the time when Massey was painting the Royal children by command of King Edward VII. The portraits were commissioned whilst the childrens' parents were on a voyage around the world. Massey fondly recalls her sittings with the young Princes in "Kings, Commoners and Me" chap.III.
Edward became King in January 1936 on the death of his father. By this time he was already in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson. His attempts to gain acceptance of Mrs. Simpson were unsuccessful and Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin tried to convince him of the damage he was causing the monarchy. All attempts to find a solution failed and, on 3rd December, the crisis became public knowledge. A week later, Edward abdicated. The next day, he left for Europe and, in June 1937, married Simpson in France. As the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the couple lived mainly in France and it was not until 1967 that the couple were invited to attend an official public ceremony with other members of the royal family.
Albert was created Duke of York in June 1920 and in 1923 he married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, youngest daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore. Following the abdication of his elder brother, he was became King on 12th December 1936 and reigned as George VI. Although his symbolic leadership in Britain was crucial during World War II, his reign was perhaps most important for the accelerating evolution of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations and the post-war transformation of Great Britain into a welfare state.
The lot is sold with correspondence spanning more than ten years between Massey and various members of the Royal household.