Studies for 'Nausicaa' and 'Winding the Skein': Composition, Female Figures

• enlarge drawing

Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Nausicaa' and 'Winding the Skein': Composition, Female Figures
Date: c.1877
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 29.0 x 22.2 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0582
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower centre "Project" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "J100" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

This is a sheet of ideas for painting compositions. The thumbnail compositions shown would later become the paintings 'Nausicaa' (c.1878, private collection), and 'Winding the Skein' (c.1878, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney). There are four similar studies of the reclining figures of a woman and a girl, curled up together, which are reminiscent of the two female figures to the lower left of the painting 'Cymon and Iphigenia' (c.1884, private collection). It may be that Leighton referred back to this drawing several years later as inspiration for 'Cymon and Iphigenia'. However he drew the figures several times in slightly different positions before settling on the exact pose used in the painting.

Description

Upper left of sheet: thumbnail study for the composition of the paintings 'Nausicaa' (c.1878, private collection). Upper centre of sheet: study of a seated female figure, facing the viewer. The figure is seated on the floor with the legs to the left of the body. Below this is a full-length study for the two female figures in the painting 'Winding the Skein' (c.1878, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney). Upper right of sheet: rough thumbnail study for the composition of the painting 'Nausicaa'. Centre left of sheet: full-length study of two reclining female figures. To the left, a female figure lies with the upper body resting on drapery, hands behind the head and knees bent. A girl lies with head resting in the lap of the first figure and knees bent. Centre right of sheet: Study for the same two female figures, with thumbnail study of the figures below. Lower left of sheet: rough thumbnail study for the composition of the painting 'Winding the Skein'. 'Lower right of sheet: full-length study of the two reclining female figures. 

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; presented to Leighton House Museum 

Bibliography

• Gere, Charlotte, et al., 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2006, p.76 catalogue number 4.8 (illustrated)
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.164 (listed under catalogue number 248 and 249)
• Gaunt, William (introduction), 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Royal Borough of Kensington and C 

Exhibition history

• 1969, 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 144
• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 4.8