English, 18th Century

Portrait of a Gentleman
oil on canvas
50 3/4 x 39 3/4 inches.
This lot is located in Chicago.
Property from the Collection of Marguerite Hark, Chicago, Illinois and Surfside, Florida

Provenance:
Probably from Lenygon & Morant, Ltd., New York and London (retains an old inventory label)

Note:
The present lot retains an old Lenygon & Morant inventory label that bears a handwritten inscription in pencil which reads, '2/9/22 David Adler for Mrs. Armour [...].' It is likely that this inscription alludes to the renowned architect David Adler's acquisition of this painting from Lenygon & Morant, an esteemed London-based antiques firm, on behalf of his friend Leola Armour. Her husband, Lester Armour was the grandson of Philip Danforth Armour, Sr., the meatpacking mogul who founded Chicago-based Armour and Company.

Adler and Mrs. Armour were close friends which likely influenced the Armours' commissioning Adler to design their home, the "Armour Mansion", in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Adler was known to establish full control throughout his design projects, enlisting few partners in assistance of pulling projects together. One among them was his sister Frances Elkins, who often contributed to outfitting the interiors of his designs. Adler and Elkins were known to have shopped from Lenygon & Morant to fill his homes with fine antiques. [1]

Lenygon & Morant, established in London in 1908 and in New York in 1912, was known for fine period furniture and reproductions in the Queen Anne and William and Mary tastes, The firm received commissions from numerous prominent patrons including the Royal family and such notable American collectors as Nelson Rockefeller.

While the date '2/9/22' inscribed on the inventory label suggests that Adler acquired this painting prior to his design of the Armour Mansion in 1931, it nonetheless remains possible that this portrait was at one point displayed within the home. The Armour Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and served as the set for Robert Altman's 1978 film, A Wedding.

[1] Richard Guy Wilson, "The Styles of David Adler," David Adler, Architect: The Elements of Style, United Kingdom: Art Institute of Chicago, 2002, p. 27.

Frame 57 7/8 x 50 7/8 inches.

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