'Study for 'Michael Angelo Nursing his Dying Servant': Head of Servant

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Drawing details

Title: 'Study for 'Michael Angelo Nursing his Dying Servant': Head of Servant
Date: c.1861
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 43.9 x 28.6 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0470
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower centre "Head" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "8/8" and "35" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "31" in pencil, crossed out in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "Q17" encircled, in pencil, crossed out in pencil.

Description

Study for the head of the servant in the painting 'Michael Angelo Nursing his Dying Servant' (c.1862, private collection). This is clearly a different model to the figure of the servant as depicted in the painting. The collar of a coat or jacket is also indicated. 

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to his sisters, Mrs. Augusta Matthews (n+e Augusta Neunburg Leighton, 1835-1919) and Mrs. Alexandra Orr (n+e Alexandra Leighton, 1828-1903); purchased by the Fine Art Society in 1896; collection of Leighton House Museum 

Bibliography

• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.154 (listed under catalogue number 80)
• Gaunt, William (introduction), 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, 1969, p.30, catalogue number 137 

Exhibition history

• 1969, 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 137
• 19 September 2005 to 09 December 2005, 'The Leighton Drawings Project: A Preview', Leighton House Museum, London