George Lord Beeforth

Henrietta Rae (1859–1928)

1895

Oil on canvas [?]

Signed lower left corner

Source: Fish, Henrietta Rae (Mrs. Ernest Normand).

It was usual for Mr. and Mrs. Normand to spend part of each summer at Scarborough, and during one of their visits they had been introduced to Mr. George Lord Beeforth, the proprietor of the Doré Gallery in Bond Street, who had made his residence in the Yorkshire coast town. The acquaintance developed into an intimate friendship. In 1895 he commissioned Mrs. Normand to paint his portrait in his official costume as Mayor of Scarborough, and suggested to her husband the desirability of their having an exhibition of their collected works. To make the suggestion a practicable one he offered them the use of the Doré Gallery for the unexpired term of his lease on conditions that contained no risks for them, but included a share of any profits that might accrue from the undertaking. The offer was immediately accepted. [86]