AMBROSE MCEVOY | LYDIA

Claude Johnson (1864-1926), acquired in 1916

Lawrence Hendra, ed., Divine people: the art & life of Ambrose McEvoy 1877-1927, exh.cat, Philip Mould & Co., London, November 26, 2019-January 24, 2020, illustrated p. 95

The present lot depicts Lydia Russell, the wife of painter Sir Walter Russell, Ambrose McEvoy’s teacher at the Slade School of Art and later Keeper of the Royal Academy. The first owner of this work was Claude Johnson, who was instrumental in the formation of the vehicle manufacturer Rolls-Royce and later managing director of the firm. Johnson’s father, who had been a member of the department of Science and Art at the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria & Albert Museum), encouraged his love of art from childhood. Johnson considered becoming an artist himself, but found his skill lacking, and so turned to patronage of artist such as McEvoy, who remained a close friend until his death.