Featured Louise Lyons Heustis - who is the sitter and when might it have been painted?

The story I heard when I purchased this painting was that it was found in a garage with bird droppings all over it but had originally come from an estate in Palm Beach, FL I was given the name Stokesbury, but I now believe it must have been Stotesbury and the estate would have been “El Mirasol.” Louise Heustis painted high society portraits and did paint in Newport, RI which appears to be where this was framed according to the label on the back.

My Question: when would you estimate this was painted based on the style of clothing?

While I would love to think the sitter is Eva Stotesbury, she was born in 1865 and I have difficulty matching this painting with her birth year. Also, a simple gold band doesn’t fit the image of Eva. (In the 20’s she was known for her jewels)

The b/w picture is Eva in 1912 the year she married Stotesbury.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I contacted the Mobile museum several years ago and they were unaware of this painting.

(The story of Eva and her children is fascinating - she married E.T. Stotesbury, a daughter married Douglas MacArthur, and a son married Doris Duke.)
The painting is 40x30 inches and has been reclined.

 

Have contact these folks?
http://www.stotesbury.com

Also, had you posted this on the internet before. A dull image of it came up with a pinterest link, but nothing more.

James.

 

This is said to be Mrs. Stotesbury and it certainly looks like the same woman to me if more bejeweled.
http://thedowneastdilettante.blogspot.com/2009/12/summer-delirium-colonial-style-part-3.html?m=1

 

I have looked at Stotesbury.com - I tried to post something there a while back but was unable to. Will explore again. Yes, I have several pieces of my art on Pinterest. Always hoping for input.

 

I looked at the films on that link hoping to see it on a wall, but no such luck.

 

The portrait is Edwardian and she appears to be wearing an academic robe. Did she receive a degree -- honorary or otherwise?

Debora

 

I also thought it looked academic, but have not found any situation that would explain this IF this were Eva. You are thinking ca. 1910? That would place her in her mid 40s which seems possible. Her first husband died in 1909. But, I may be all wet on this.

 

Tried to leave comment on Stotesbury.com again with no luck. Maybe I need to use a computer and not my iPad.

 

The hat was a style at the time, as was the jacket. It wasn't academic, just fashionable. The hat was velvet too.

 

Thanks, that clarification helps.

 

This 2008 article's by line has Wayne C Willcox as being from New Orleans.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9034891/palm-beach-daily-news/
This 2020 pdf lists a Cintra and Wayne C. Willcox
https://www.hnoc.org/sites/default/files/quarterly/2020_THNOC Winter_Quarterly_Archive_lo.pdf
If you're a fan of the direct approach, he's in the phonebook...
https://nuwber.com/person/563a1a8898f8a849c198ae8a

 

Thank you for the info. Still unable to contact Wilcox via internet. Will call.

 

I have followed up with Wayne Wilcox and unfortunately he has concluded that this is not Eva Stotesbury. I consider him the expert on the family (he has the 1912 painting of Eva which my painting resembles), thus for now this lead ends and the search must go on with very few leads - only the artist and the connection to Newport. Thanks to all who contributed.

 

There was a retrospective of her work in 1995. I believe the curator has died but perhaps one of the sponsoring institutions has someone on staff who could help. At the very least, they may know of a catalogue raisonné.

Debora

 

Thank you. However I have the catalogue from the exhibition and I contacted the curator prior to his passing ... at that time they were unaware of this painting. I will check with them again to see if they have any records of the works done in Newport from 1900 to 1915.

 

Didn't realize you'd already done such a thorough job of research. Must be frustrating not being able to identify your sitter.

Debora

 

You know... She summered in Newport and was a member of the Newport Art Association. Also exhibited there. Perhaps contacting them would take you further. They may even know if the framer kept records.

Debora

 

John M. Wiseman, Gilder and Picture Frame, Newport, R. I.

Debora

 

Good one! I couldn’t find that one. Thanks