Sir John Lavery (1856-1941) was an Irish painter known for his portraits, as well as wartime scenes. He painted his Irish-American wife, Hazel (m. 1909-1935), also a painter, over 400 times, including one of her as Kathleen Ni Houlihan, a mythical figure personifying Ireland’s national spirit, which was printed on Irish bank notes from 1928 to 1975. See below for an example, along with her portrait, The Red Rose. I think we can safely say that, unlike the woman in black, Lady Lavery was very likely a player of tennis.
Woman in black The woman in black doesn’t play tennis. White is not her colour, something she has always known. For her, and her constant terrier, the game, on beds of grass or clay, is a bemusement—the exertions, the delights, of service and rally that she relishes from her seat at center court being perfectly adequate for her day. Sometimes, though, an off-court moment will afford entrance into: secrets exchanged, wagers and machinations, propositions, that offer a glimpse of a life past game set match—the enticements, candour, the promise, of a glance, nod, a word. And then, the woman in black will simply smirk, or turn to suppress a laugh.
Two lovely portraits, one in paint, one in words.
Bemused she certainly. You captured her beautifully.