The Edwardians: Secrets and Desires | Tom ROBERTS

DETAIL : John Singer SARGENT, The fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, Italy 1907, The Art Institute of Chicago, American Art Collection

DETAIL : John Singer SARGENT, Almina, daughter of Asher Wertheimer 1908, Tate, London, presented by the widow and family of Asher Wertheimer in accordance with his wishes in 1922

ENLARGE

ROBERTS, Tom

England 1856 – Australia 1931-09-14

Australia 1869-81, England 1881-85, Australia 1885-1903, England 1903-23, Australia from 1923

Madame Hartl c.1909

Painting

oil on canvas

114.5 (h) x 76.6 (w) cm

signed l.r., oil "Tom Roberts", not dated

Purchased 1969

NGA 1969.151

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Madame Ruby Hartl wore this spectacular Italianate costume of La Tornabuoni to the Chelsea Arts Club Annual Costume Ball at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1909. Towards the end of that year Roberts asked whether Hartl would pose for him in her costume. The frame for this painting was carved by his wife, Lillie.