Studies for 'Summer Moon', 'Antique Juggling Girl' and 'The Courtyard of a House at Damascus': Female Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Summer Moon', 'Antique Juggling Girl' and 'The Courtyard of a House at Damascus': Female Figures
Date: c.1871
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 31.9 x 23.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0520
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Summer Moon" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "775" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "138" encircled, in brown ink, crossed out in pencil.

Interpretation

Most of the studies on this sheet relate to the painting 'Summer Moon' (c.1872, private collection). However, a small, rough sketch to the lower left is an early study for the painting 'Antique Juggling Girl' (c.1873, private collection), exhibited in the same year. The nude study to the lower right of the sheet is for a painting entitled 'The Courtyard of a House at Damascus' (1873, untraced). The painting is now missing, but a sheet of studies for this figure was reproduced in a volume published by the Fine Art Society in 1898. [Cockerell, Samuel Pepys (Foreward), 'Drawings and Studies by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Fine Art Society, 1898, plate XVII]

Description

Upper half of sheet: full-length nude study for the reclining female figure to the right of the painting 'Summer Moon' (c.1872, private collection). The figure to the left is also indicated. Upper right of sheet: full-length rough study for the reclining female figure to the right of the painting. Lower left of sheet: full-length rough study for the standing female figure in the painting 'Antique Juggling Girl' (c.1873, private collection). The right hand is raised higher than in the finished work, and only the outside line of the legs is indicated. To the lower right of this is a full-length study of a standing female figure facing the viewer. The left forearm is held across the waist. The right hand is held away from the body to the left, at waist height and drapery falls from the arm. Lower centre of sheet: full-length nude study for the seated female figure to the left of the painting. The head is very lightly indicated. The drapery around the head is also lightly indicated. Lower right of sheet: full-length nude study of a standing female figure with back to the viewer, for the painting 'The Courtyard of a House at Damascus' (1873, untraced). The head is turned to the right. The weight rests on the right leg. The upper body leans towards the right elbow which rests in a surface a waist height. The left hand also rests on this surface, to the left of the figure, with the elbow raised. 

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.161 (listed under catalogue number 201) 

Exhibition history

• 1969, 'Display of Drawings and Paintings in the Winter Studio and Perrin Gallery', Leighton House Museum, catalogue number 73