Study for 'Winding the Skein': Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Winding the Skein': Composition
Date: c.1877
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 21.2 x 29.9 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0583
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower left "3 x 4 1/2" in black chalk, in the artist's hand. Inscribed lower right "Winding the Skein" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "10/-" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "L.30" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

The ruled lines across the composition are to help with perspective and the positioning of the figures. There is also a note which reads "3 x 4 1/2" at the left of the image. This may indicate the approximate size, in feet, that Leighton intended the finished work to be. In fact it is slightly larger at 3 feet 3 1/2 inches by 5 feet 3 1/2 inches.

Description

Rough study for the composition of the painting 'Winding the Skein' (c.1878, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney). There are diagonal and horizontal ruled lines across 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; presented to Leighton House Museum 

Bibliography

• Barrington, Mrs. Emilie Isabel, 'Catalogue: Lord Leighton's House and What it Contains', 1900, reprinted as part of 'A Collection of Essays on Lord Leighton and his Works with Illustrated Catalogue of the Contents of Leighton House', privately published, London, 1900-01, p.183 catalogue number 198b
• Gere, Charlotte, et al., 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2006, p.78 catalogue number 4.10 (illustrated)
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard 

Exhibition history

• 09 April 1900 to at least 1936, 'The Leighton House Collection' (intended to be a permanent display), Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 198b (exhibited in the large studio)
• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 4.10