Studies for 'Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by the Sea': Female Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by the Sea': Female Figures
Date: c.1870
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 24.2 x 32.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0518
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Girls picking up Shells" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "7" encircled, in pencil, crossed out in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "H66" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on

Description

Upper left of sheet: full-length study for the standing female figure in the centre of the painting 'Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by the Sea' (c.1871, untraced). The facial features and the drapery that billows above the head are not indicated. Centre left of sheet: full-length study for the female figure bending forward to the left of the painting. The feet are closer together than in the finished work. Centre of sheet: full-length study, possibly related to the female figure bending forward, to the far right of the painting. The pose is similar to that in the finished painting, although the figure is seen with back to the viewer. Upper right of sheet: full-length study for the standing female figure, closest to the viewer, right of centre in the painting. The figure is bent further forward than in the finished work and the length of peach coloured drapery wrapped around the head and billowing in the air is not indicated. Lower left of sheet: full-length study for the female figure bending forward, to the far right of the painting. Lower centre of sheet: full-length study, possibly related to the female figure bending forward, to the left of the painting, although the figure is seen with back to the viewer and turned to the left. 

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 198) 

Exhibition history

• Inscribed on reverse, centre "323" encircled, in blue biro, crossed out in blue biro