Portrait of the Marchioness of Douro, née the Hon. Lilian Maud Glen Coats, later 5th Duchess of Wellington, half-length

This portrait was commissioned by the sitter’s mother, Lady Glentanar. She was delighted with the finished picture and wrote to the artist: 'I cannot tell you the pleasure it is to me to possess it, & it really speaks to me when I look at it. I thank you very much for giving me such a reminder of my dear daughter.' De László noted on the letter that he had charged 450 guineas for the commission.

Lilian Maud Glen Coats (1885-1946), was born at Belisle, Scotland, the youngest daughter of George Coats, 1st Baron Glentanar, and his wife Margaret Lothian Black. She married Arthur Charles, Marquess of Douro (1876-1941), great-grandson of the first Duke of Wellington, on 23 March 1909. They lived at Stratfield Saye in Hampshire from 1910. They had two children, Anne Maud Wellesley (1910-98), and Henry Valerian George, Earl of Mornington (1912-43).

We are grateful to Katherine Field for writing the catalogue entry for this portrait, which will be included in the Philip de László catalogue raisonné, currently presented in progress online: www.delaszlocatalogueraisonne.com. The Hon. Mrs de Laszlo and a team of editors are compiling the catalogue raisonné of the artist’s entire oeuvre. Katherine Field is the Senior Editor. Please see www.delaszloarchivetrust.com or contact catalogue@delaszlo.com for more information or to offer any contribution.