THE "COURT PAINTER"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 15

THE "COURT PAINTER"

THE INTERNMENT OF LASZLO NATURALISED EARLY IN THE WAR

Philip de Laszlo, the "Court painf> er," who was recently, as briefly reported by cablegram, interned by order of the Homo Secretary under the powers conferred by Hegulatidu U B of tho Defence of tile' Realm Act, is ah Hungarian, and, says tho "Daily Mail," is proud of it. His frionds -unwisely pressed him to become naturalised. Ho hated tho idea - of abandoning his country at a time of war, but did so finally "on account'of my soiib." His certificate was granted on August 29, and he took the oath of allegiance on September 2, 1914. The following letter, written to. relatives in Budapest, where ho was born forTy-eight years ago, gives his reasons for changing his nationality .and betrays his feelings at the time: _. My hand trembles when 1 think in how serious' an hour I write ' these lines, and I'fear that while I'sit quietly here at my table and write already perhaps many brave people will liave. lost their lives on account of tho predatory Serbian nation. Another serious thing has also happened. I have _ signed.' the papers relating to English- citizenship, and for tKree weeks- past have been' a British subject. Tho customary witnesses who testified that for five years they had known me,as a "gentleman"- were my frionds the members of' Parliament, Lord Bnlfour._ Lord Dovonport, and Guinness.- It cost me a severe mental conflict, but on account of my five sons I had to do it. :

His Popular Vogue, The painter of "nil the crowned heads of Europe", had a wido circle of frionds in art, politics, and society. Ho visited the Courts in turn, and painted everyone, with a touch' of flattery or insight which saw the best points in every fnce, and forgot, the, worst. ■ Because he did this.the men who "paint for paint's, sake". affected 'to regard his art with some disdain. Yet lie had his successes as aji "artist" na-well as a."Court painter," and'understood % tho technique, of his calling as well as the best. . Enjoying the' income which, the- favourite of kings --lias" the right .to earn, Philip'de Laszlo spent n-m.sur-rounding himself with comfort and luxury. He lived in. Palace Gate; Kensington, and had a fine studio on Campden Hill. At another Kensington studio before the war he taught an interesting succession of promising pupils, all anxious to catch the secret of his;social and artistic success., They were a smart, athletic crowd of young men,' able to fence and box with the best, and 'he taught them as much of his art as they could learn. • His beginnings were humble. 'As a; boy of nine ho showed his natural skill and worked hard for years at scene painting, china decorating, and the like; ■until he. entered the school of industrial art at Budapest, where his ability maintained him for sevon years; At. 19 he-.wns in Venice, -studying and painting; Paris followed, and then his career as a painter of celebrities began. Among celebrities -painted by..' de Laszlo have been the' late King Edward and' Queen Alexandra, Mr. Balfour, Mrs. Asauith; in the United States. Mr. Koosevelt, when President; in Athens, the ex-King Constantine: in Germany, tho Kaiser and his daughter. Ho painted a portrait : of himself'for-; tho Uflizi Gallery in' Flbr-' enco. Decorations were best-owed upon him hy tho Courts of Spain, Greece, Great Britain, and Germany.