Study for 'Wedded': Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Wedded': Composition
Date: c.1881
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 13.6 x 24.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0598
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "309" in blue biro, crossed out in blue biro. Inscribed on reverse, centre "F.72" in pencil.

Description

Upper left of sheet: two thumbnail compositions relating to the painting 'Wedded' (c.1881-82, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney). Centre left of sheet: two thumbnail compositions relating to the same painting. Centre right: thumbnail composition for a crescent shaped painting including a male and female figure seated side by side with backs to the viewer. The female figure sits to the left and leans towards the male figure. The male figure sits to the right and has his left arm across the back of the female figure. Below this is a thumbnail composition relating to the painting 'Wedded'. Upper right of sheet: full-length thumbnail sketch of a standing female figure, facing the viewer and reaching towards the right shoulder with the left hand. A similar figure can be seen just right of centre in the fresco 'The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace' (1883-86, Victoria and Albert Museum). 

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 280)