'Studies for 'Orpheus and Eurydice' and 'Bianca': Orpheus and Eurydice, Hand of Orpheus, Composition, Figure

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Drawing details

Title: 'Studies for 'Orpheus and Eurydice' and 'Bianca': Orpheus and Eurydice, Hand of Orpheus, Composition, Figure
Date: c.1861
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 28.9 x 44.1 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0478
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Orpheus and Eurydice" in pencil. Inscribed lower right corner "Orpheus and Eurydice" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "S.64" encircled, in pencil, changed to "H.64"and cr

Description

Upper left of sheet: three-quarter length study for the figures of Orpheus and Eurydice in the painting 'Orpheus and Eurydice' (c.1864, Leighton House Musem). Lower left of sheet: Centre of sheet: half-length study for the figures of Orpheus and Eurydice. The head of Orpheus is not indicated. Upper right of sheet: study for the left hand of Orpheus. Lower left of sheet: thumbnail study for the composition of the painting 'Bianca' (1862, Royal Collection). Lower right of sheet: faint study of a full-length figure beneath an archway. 

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

• Corkran, Alice, 'Frederic Leighton', Methuen and Co., London, 1904, illustrated opposite p.62
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.155 (listed under catalogue number 102) 

Exhibition history

• 19 September 2005 to 09 December 2005, 'The Leighton Drawings Project: A Preview', Leighton House Museum, London