Who painted Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in Lady Frederick by William Somerset Maugham?

Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in Lady Frederick by William Somerset Maugham was painted by Frederick Howard Michael in 1907.

Where can I see Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in Lady Frederick by William Somerset Maugham?

Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in Lady Frederick by William Somerset Maugham is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in <i>Lady Frederick</i> by William Somerset Maugham

Frederick Howard Michael , 1907

Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in <i>Lady Frederick</i> by William Somerset Maugham is a paint painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Frederick Howard Michael. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

The artist used soft brushstrokes to blend her face and clothes, giving them a smooth, almost glowing look.

This painting shows a woman in a fancy dress from around 1907. She’s wearing a large, dark purple hat with a feather and a blue-green gown covered in gold embroidery. The background is plain, with a small table holding a candle holder and a few other objects.

The artist used soft brushstrokes to blend her face and clothes, giving them a smooth, almost glowing look. The colors are rich but not too bright, keeping the focus on her.

If you like this style, check out Michael, Frederick Howard for more portraits.

Overview

The work is an oil portrait of actress Ethel Irving portraying Lady Frederick Berolles, a character from William Somerset Maugham’s play *Lady Frederick*. Rendered as a half‑length figure, Irving’s torso is turned slightly to the left while her head looks to the right, set against a muted interior that includes a fireplace and a gilded candlestick.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures the theatrical persona of Lady Frederick Berolles, emphasizing the character’s elegance and social standing through costume and pose. Irving’s attire—a turquoise‑blue dress with gold‑trimmed bodice and a deep‑maroon hat feathered with a plume—conveys the period’s fashion and the refined demeanor expected of a lady of the stage.

Technique & Style

Soft, blended brushwork renders the flesh and fabrics with a subtle luminosity, while the palette balances rich jewel tones against a restrained background. The artist’s handling of light creates a gentle glow on the dress and hat, allowing the figure to emerge without harsh contrasts, characteristic of early‑20th‑century portraiture.

History & Provenance

Commissioned by Maugham as a token of gratitude for Irving’s performance, the portrait was presented to the actress shortly after the play’s production. In 1964 the painting entered the collection of the British Theatre Museum Association, where it remains part of the institution’s documentation of theatrical history.

Artist & collection

Artist

Frederick Howard Michael

Frederick Howard Michael painted actors on stage in the early 1900s. In "Ethel Irving as Lady Frederick Berolles in Lady Frederick" he captured the moment in soft brushstrokes and muted colors, a slice of theatrical…