Study for 'Elijah in the Wilderness': Elijah

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Elijah in the Wilderness': Elijah
Date: c.1877
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 20.2 x 28.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0586
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "Elijah" in pencil, lower part of inscription cut off. Inscribed on reverse, centre "F5" encircled, in pencil, written sideways. Inscribed on reverse, upper right "A" encircled,

Interpretation

The pose of the nude figure of Elijah, stretched back with his arms by his side, has been likened to the figure of Christ in the painting 'Entombment' by Michelangelo, which was purchased by the National Gallery in 1868. [See: Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.222]

Description

 

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

• Gere, Charlotte, et al., 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2006, p.69 catalogue number 4.2 (illustrated)
• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.222
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.164 (listed under catalogue number 251) 

Exhibition history

• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 4.2