Study for 'Elisha Raising the Son of the Shunammite': Elisha, Boy, Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Elisha Raising the Son of the Shunammite': Elisha, Boy, Composition
Date: c.1880
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 32.9 x 23.1 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0594
Inscriptions: Inscribed centre "33 x 59" in black chalk, in the artist's hand. Inscribed lower left "80" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "Elisha & the Widows son" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "39" encir

Interpretation

Leighton has inscribed this drawing "33 x 54" in the centre, which are the exact dimensions of the finished work in inches. He has also made a tiny sketch of the composition to scale at the left of the sheet. Although painted about six years later, the drawing of a male figure at the lower centre of the sheet may relate to the figure in the painting 'Leander Drowned' (c.1887, Manchester Art Gallery), the predella to the painting 'The Last Watch of Hero (c.1887, Manchester Art Gallery).

Description

Upper half of sheet: full-length study for the elderly male figure and boy in the painting 'Elisha Raising the Son of the Shunammite' (c.1881, Leighton House Museum). The pillows or drapery under the head and shoulders of the child and the surface he lies on are also indicated. Centre left of sheet: thumbnail sketch for the composition of the same painting. Lower half of sheet: full-length study for the elderly male figure and boy in the painting. Below this is a full-length study of a male figure, with lower body lying on the left side, upper body lying face down. 

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.166 (listed under catalogue number 284) 

Exhibition history

• 1969, 'Display of Drawings and Paintings in the Winter Studio and Perrin Gallery', Leighton House Museum, catalogue number 77
• 19 September 2005 to 09 December 2005, 'The Leighton Drawings Project: A Preview', Leighton House Museum, London