Percy Wyndham Lewis (1882 - 1957), Portrait of Miss Edith Evans, signed 'Wyndham Lewis' dated 1932 and titled in pen (lower right), pencil, 34 x 24cm, framed and glazed 57 x 46 cm

Dame Edith Evans was a stage and screen actress most famed for her portrayal of Lady Bracknell in the 1952 film 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. This drawing is a study for another portrait of Miss Evans that Wyndham Lewis included in the portfolio of drawings 'Thirty Personalities and a Self Portrait', exhibited at the Lefevre Gallery, London in 1932.

Mr and Mrs Davis Marshall, Anonymous sale, Phillips London - 21 November 2000 lot 71, The Piccadilly Gallery, Dover St, London (label verso), Anonymous sale 2002, Christie's Interiors - 16 March 2016 lot 384

Exhibited: London, Redfearn Gallery, 'Wyndham Lewis' May 1949. No.54

Literature: M. Parish, Flower of Cities - A Book of London Studies and Sketches by 22 Authors, 1949, no.54; W. Michel, Wyndham Lewis: Paintings and Drawings, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1971, p. 347. no.753

Condition Report

Signs of fading to the eyes, face colouring and signature. Signs of discolouring to the paper on exposed areas (either from previous mounting or slippage in the mount). Wear and indentations to the frame.