Studies for 'Phryne at Eleusis': Compositions, Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Phryne at Eleusis': Compositions, Figures
Date: c.1881
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 16.5 x 23.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0596
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "Phryne" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "234" encircled, in blue biro, crossed out in blue biro. Inscribed on reverse, centre "199" encircled, in pencil.

Description

Left of sheet: study for the composition of the painting 'Phryne at Eleusis' (c.1880-82, untraced). The columns seen either side of the figure in the finished painting are not indicated and the background appears to be an empty landscape or seascape. Right of sheet: study for the composition of the painting. This composition is more square than the finished painting and the background appears to include several figures, very roughly indicated. Upper right of sheet: full-length, rough study of two standing figures. Far right of sheet: full-length, rough study of a standing figure. Lower centre of sheet: two full-length, rough studies of groups of standing figures. Lower right of sheet: full-length, rough study of a group of standing 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; collection of Leighton House Museum 

Bibliography

• Barringer, Tim and Prettejohn, Elizabeth (editors), 'Frederic Leighton: Antiquity Renaissance Modernity', Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1999, p.35
• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, figure 42
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.166 (listed under catalogue number 288)