LONG FIGHT FOR LIFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22398, 20 October 1934, Page 14

LONG FIGHT FOR LIFE

A half-completed painting recently stood on an easel in Sir John Lavery’s pleasant house in Cromwell place, Loudon. It was a picture of Lady Lavery in bed. For weeks it had stood neglected, its canvas veiled. Over it hung the shadow that darkened the whole house. It seemed, until a few days ago, said a Daily Express correspondent, that that shadow might never lift, and the painting never be completed. The other day, however, the canvas was once more revealed to the light of day, and the brush of the distinguished artist began to transform its half-complete surface. The correspondent proceeds: “ For Lady Lavery is going to get well. For nine months she has been in bed. She has been near death. But now, Sir John says, her recovery, though it will be slow, is happily considered certain.” Lady Lavery fought for life with the same gaiety as formerly she took her place in London’s parade of fashion and beauty. Her bedroom was not allowed to have any suggestion of a sickroom. It looks like Titania’s bower. During the long months of his wife’s illness, when sleep and rest were impossible, Sir John would talk to her and sketch her. It is this study of Lady Lavery, on which he has expended all his genius, that takes first place with him now among the many portraits of his wife that he has painted. " The whole thing started with a wisdom tooth,” Sir John said. “ There had to be an operation, and the anaesthetic affected Lady Lavery’s heart. She went to Brighton three months ago to convalesce, and had a severe relapse. Since then she has been very ill.”