Accession Number

2005.034.003b

Description

A framed oil on canvas portrait of Dola Frances Dunsmuir in a studio setting, the picture dominated by Dola at about age 4 looking at the viewer, seated in a large dark brown-coloured wooden arm chair, her gold-coloured curly hair chin length, her dress light pink with ruffles at the hem, puffed sleeves, her feet covered by white ballet-like slippers and white stockings.

Narrative

Donor Peter Luttmer believes this painting was completed in San Francisco, California. When he acquired it from his mother's sister, the painting was unframed, dirty, and had a tear in the canvas. Mr. Luttmer, who knew Dola, had the picture repaired, cleaned and re-framed before presenting it to The Castle Society.

History of Use

This picture originally belonged to Hon. James and Laura Dunsmuir and was displayed at Government House from 1906-1909 and Hatley Park from 1910-1939. In 1939 it was inherited by Dola Frances Dunsmuir (Mrs. Henry Cavendish) and from circa 1944 to 1966 displayed at her Colwood, B.C. house named Dolaura. It was then inherited by Dola's sister Kathleen's daughter, Judith Marie Kathleen Humphreys (1927 -1972), who gave it to her sister Joan Muriel Humphreys' son, Peter John Luttmer (b.1942), who donated it to The Castle Society in 2005.

Date

circa 1906

Dimensions

113.3 cm x 85.2 cm

Subject/Image

Dola Frances Dunsmuir

Medium

Oil

Support

Canvas

Technique

Painted