Studies for 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis': Hercules and Death, Hercules

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis': Hercules and Death, Hercules
Date: c.1870
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 22.5 x 27.2 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0513
Inscriptions: Inscribed on reverse, centre "C23" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, lower left "Study for Hercules 107" in pencil.

Description

Left of sheet: nude study for part of the figures of Hercules and Death in the painting 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis' (c.1869-71, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford). Right of sheet: nude study for the torso of Hercules. 

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.160 (listed under catalogue number 193) 

Exhibition history

• Inscribed on reverse, centre "28" encircled, in blue biro, very faint