Manners was a keen portraitist throughout her life, drawing the likenesses of her family and friends as well as herself. She spent her youth surrounded by, and portraying, members of her artistic, aristocratic set and later married the Duke of Rutland, with whom she had five children, who also served as her subjects.
After her husband’s death she worked in a studio at Belgrave Square, focusing on the Bright Young Things of the 1920s.
It was during this time that she completed her drawing of Poulsen, which Sim offers for £2000. Manners focuses on the androgyny of the dancer’s looks – Poulsen also inspired the artist Gerda Wegener, whose relationship with her transgender partner, Lili Elbe, was the focus of the 2015 film The Danish Girl.
Pictures in the catalogue, The Queen of Souls, range in price from £500-3000 and include depictions of the actress Gertrude Lawrence and Manners’ son, Lord Haddon, who died as a child. Works are online at Sim Fine Art’s website from June 5.
