Overall: 13.3cm (5.2in) x 11.5cm (4.5in)
Watercolour. Head and shoulders portrait showing the Prince of Wales (afterwards King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor (1894-1972)) in the uniform of a Captain, Royal Navy. The Prince held the rank of Captain, R.N., from 1919 to 1930, and wore the uniform during his highly publicised world tour in the battlecruiser H.M.S. Renown in 1921-22. Image: 9cm x 7cm. Inscribed verso Eva O’Connell (Miss) / Charleville / Dunleer / Co. Louth, Ireland / M. HRH The Prince of Wales / 132’. Framed and glazed.
The present portrait was painted at a time when Edward, through his rank, travels, good looks and unmarried status, was attaining the height of his popularity and becoming the most photographed celebrity of his time.
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Eva O’Connell (1871-1949) was the daughter of Daniel James O’Connell, of Grenagh, Co. Killarney. Charleville was the home of her sister Isobel who married Captain Edmund O’Conor, DL, JP, of the 6th Battn., Royal Irish Rifles, and High Sheriff of Co. Louth in 1894. A miniaturist by occupation, Eva lived latterly at Cheriton House, Templecombe, Somerset.