PreciousPre Painting
I was delighted to spot part of a painting close to my heart on your May le!ers page, which showed a reader’s newly upholstered vintage armchair. I grew up with this painting in the Sixties and it was one of my mum’s favourites. She always referred to it as ‘ The Le!er’ but I have struggled to "nd out anything about it. This picture recently took on more meaning for me as my mum died in January. As you can see, it’s very dirty and I would love to have it cleaned. I’d really appreciate it if you could tell me something about the painting and also who to contact to bring it back to the way I remember it. Sylvia Pringle, Northumberland
Your much-loved picture is one of Sir S Gerald Festus Kelly’s (18791 1972) famous portraits of the Shan S Princess, Sao Ohn Nyunt. Kelly K had a fascinating career. During D his studies in Paris, he rubbed r shoulders with leading a artists such as Rodin, Monet, R Renoir and Cézanne. Somerset Maugham, a friend of his, suggested he travel to Burma in the early 1900s and he fell in love with the landscape and the people. Back in London in the 1930s, Kelly met the princess at a reception and asked her to sit for him. Even though he later went on to become a favourite royal painter, President of the Royal Academy, and painted many eminent #gures of the day, the 20 portraits he painted of her are by far his most famous works.
You have a vintage reproduction that probably dates from the 1960s when the portrait was popular. The staining could be removed by a paper restorer. ICON, the Institute of Conservation ( icon.org. uk) should be able to recommend one in your area, but the cost may be more than the print is worth.