The portrait of Pope Leo XIII, completed in 1900, earned the artist a Grand Gold Medal at the Paris International Exhibition, cementing his international standing. Over a career spanning several decades, this painter navigated the shifting political landscapes of the United Kingdom and Hungary while documenting the appearance of the era's most prominent aristocratic and royal figures.
Early Development and Training
Born Fülöp Laub in 1869 in Pest, the artist was the son of a tailor and seamstress. His initial technical education included an apprenticeship with a photographer, followed by formal training at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts under Bertalan Székely and Károly Lotz. He later refined his skills at the Académie Julian in Paris and the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
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After changing his surname to László in 1891, he began a period of extensive travel that saw him work in Budapest, Vienna, Paris, and London. His 1900 marriage to Lucy Guinness, a member of the Anglo-Irish banking family, preceded his move to London in 1907. He became a British subject in 1914, though his career involved frequent travel to satisfy high-level commissions.
Honours and Wartime Internment
His ability to capture high-status subjects led to numerous accolades, including his 1909 investment with the Royal Victorian Order by Edward VII. In 1912, Franz Joseph I of Austria ennobled him, leading to the name László de Lombos. Despite this status, the First World War brought significant disruption; he was interned for over a year on suspicion of communicating with the enemy before his exoneration in 1919.
Professional Legacy and Output
De László maintained a productive output until his final years, often suffering from heart-related health issues. He died at Hyme House in London in 1937. His body of work includes nearly 4,000 items, ranging from oil portraits of figures such as Princess Elizabeth of York and Marshal Lyautey to various drawings. His work was represented in the 1932 Summer Olympics art competition.
Fast facts
- Born: 1869, Pest
- Died: 1937, Hyme House, London
- Primary occupations: Painter and sculptor
- British subject: 1914
- Royal Victorian Order: 1909
- Notable work: Countess Anna de Noailles
- Notable work: Portrait of Marshal Lyautey
- Notable work: Princess Elizabeth of York
Questions readers ask
Did Philip de László only paint royalty?
No, while he was primarily known for portraits of aristocrats and royals, his sitters included scientists, industrialists, politicians, and other figures.
Why was he interned during the First World War?
He was accused of contacting the enemy due to correspondence with family members in Austria, but he was later exonerated.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Hofbräuhaus
- Notable work: Countess Anna de Noailles
- Notable work: Portrait of Marshal Lyautey
- Notable work: Princess Elizabeth of York
