Lot 130: Margaret Tekusch, R.A. (1845-1899) after Sir John Everett Millais, Bt., P.R.A. (1829-1896)

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Description: 'Hearts are Trumps'
inscribed 'The three Armstrong Sisters/Mrs. Tennant Dunlop, Mrs Blennerhassett Mrs Secker' (ona a label attached to the backboard)
bodycolour on ivorine
10 1/2 x 12 3/4 in. (26.8 x 32.5 cm.)

Notes: This present work is a copy after Millais' celebrated portrait of Elizabeth, Diana and Mary Armstrong entitled Hearts are Trumps. The sitters later became respectively Mrs Tennant-Dunlop, Mrs. J. Herbert Secker and Mrs Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhasset. The girls' father and brother were both prominent art critics.

Millais is said to have painted this portrait as a riposte to a critic who claimed Millais was incapable of executing a portrait of three beautiful women of the period as well as Sir Joshua Reynolds who painted the famous portrait of The Ladies Waldegrave.

Margaret Tekusch is recorded as exhibiting in London between 1845-1888. In 1860 a Miss Tekusch is mentioned in a letter from Daniel Maclise R.A. (1806-1870) to Clarkson Stanfield asking his fellow artist to permit Miss Tekusch to copy one of his works. Margaret Tekusch may have been a professional copyist working during the second half of the 19th Century.

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Artist or Maker: Margaret Tekusch, R.A. (1845-1899) after Sir John Everett Millais, Bt., P.R.A. (1829-1896)