Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl

Formerly in the collection of Will Tyler, personal assistant to the Lebus family who were active as a furniture manufacturer and wholesaler based in Tottenham since 1840;

thence by descent to the current owner

Originating from Hungary, Strobl was an internationally renowned sculptor of the first half of the 20th century and Professor of Sculpture at the Budapest Royal Academy. Between the wars, he travelled to London, where he became a celebrated portraitist for members of the upper class and the Royal family. While the young sitter remains unidentified, her dress indicates she is from an aristocratic family.

The Royal Collection in London holds several works by the artist, including a marble portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, when Princess Elizabeth of York (inv. no. RCIN 101407) and a bronze cast of the Princess on horseback (inv. no. RCIN 2134). The latter has a near identical patina and includes a similar rectangular base. A bronze portrait of Mrs. Tolnay, spouse of the Hungarian screen writer Ákos Tolnay, cast by Strobl in 1910 and in the Göcseji Múzeum (inv. no. 76.3.74), demonstrates a comparable compositional scheme to the present bronze, seated on a decorated stool and with rectangular base.

RELATED LITERATURE

Dr. K. László (ed.), Catalogue of collection of Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl in Zalaegerszeg, exh. cat. Göcseji Múzeum, Zalaegerszeg, 2004, pp. 21, 35, nos. 2, 30