Study for 'Sister's Kiss': Female Figure and Female child

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Sister's Kiss': Female Figure and Female child
Date: c.1879
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 22.4 x 29.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0592
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower centre "Sisters" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, lower left "874" in pencil.

Description

Left of sheet: full-length study for the standing female figure and female child in the painting 'Sister's Kiss' (c.1880, private collection). Unlike the painting both figures face to the left and the female figure stands behind the child. She leans over her and turns her face towards her with both hands in order to kiss the child. The left hand of the child holds the dress of the female figure. Right of sheet: full-length study for the standing female figure and female child in the painting. The poses are similar to the finished work. 

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.165 (listed under catalogue number 269) 

Exhibition history

• 1969, 'Display of Drawings and Paintings in the Winter Studio and Perrin Gallery', Leighton House Museum, catalogue number 74