Wallis, Duchess of Windsor
1 portrait of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor
by Gerald Leslie Brockhurst
oil on canvas, 1939
40 in. x 32 in. (1016 mm x 813 mm)
Purchased with help from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, 1998
Primary Collection
NPG 6416
On display in Room 27 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sitterback to top
- Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (1896-1986), Wife of Duke of Windsor. Sitter in 199 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (1890-1978), Artist. Artist or producer of 3 portraits, Sitter in 27 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Brockhurst's portrait hung against a mirror in the library of the Duke and Duchess's house in the Bois de Boulogne, where they lived most of their married life. It shows the Duchess, famed for her soignée appearance, wearing a Mainbocher blouse and a bouquet brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, a gift from her husband.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 95
- John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 95
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Clear Vision: Brockhurst, Frampton and Kelly (Until 8 July 2007)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1939back to top
Current affairs
Britain goes to war. The German invasion of Poland demonstrated that the policy of appeasement had failed. After refusing to meet Britain's ultimatum to withdraw troops, Britain and France declared war on Germany. The Second World War had begun.Art and science
The Sutton Hoo burial ship is discovered. Apparently following a dream, Mrs Pretty invited the archaeologist Basil Brown to investigate a series of burial mounds on her estate on the banks of the river Deben in Suffolk. The excavation revealed an Anglo-Saxon burial, uncovering the most significant horde of early medieval artefacts found in Britain (now housed at the British Museum).International
The Second World War begins. Germany's invasion of Poland prompted Britain and France to declare war forming the core of the Allied powers. As part of the Soviet-Nazi Pact, the Soviet Union joined the war on the German side, helping, with Italy, to form the Axis Powers. Poland was soon overpowered and the Baltic Republics and Finland were invaded by the Soviet Union.Comments back to top
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