Joseph Delaney (American 1904-1981)

Portrait of Olivia Wyndham

signed and indistinctly dated ' Jos Delaney 34?' (lower left) and bears signature and date (lower right)
oil on canvas
66 x 51 cm, framed 68 x 54 cm

Provenance:
The Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, London, donated by the artist.

Exhibited:
London, Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation Centenary International Art Exhibition and Sale, December 1972 - January 1973, no. 330.

Footnote:
Olivia Wyndham (1897-1967) lived a legendary and outrageous lifestyle as one of the so-called "Bright Young Things" both in London and from 1929 in New York where she became the fourth wife of Howland Spencer in 1930. Whilst maintaining an outwardly conventional marriage with Spencer she fell in love with and carried on a relationship with the black American actress, Edna Thomas. Wyndham was a society photographer and three portraits by her of Cecil Beaton are in the National Portrait Gallery collection, London. Her parties were notorious and she mixed with artists, dancers, writers and actors of her day. The portrait by Delaney is an early work by the artist and captures Wyndham in a pensive more reflective mood than the host of fabulous parties.