Study for 'Clytemnestra': Arms and Shoulders, Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Clytemnestra': Arms and Shoulders, Composition
Date: c.1873
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 24.4 x 32.8 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0565
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Clytemnestra" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "ú/" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "8/9/-" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "E83" encircled, in pencil.

Description

Left of sheet: study for the arms and shoulders of the female figure in the painting 'Clytemnestra' (c.1874, Leighton House Museum). Right of sheet: study for the composition of the same painting. 'Clytemnestra' (c.1874, Leighton House Museum). The composition is similar to the finished work, although the pole to the left of the finished painting is not indicated, and the positioning of the battlement to the right of the composition is different. To the left, the line of battlements continues outside the boundary of the composition. 

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.162 (listed under catalogue number 227) 

Exhibition history

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