Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Male Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Male Figures
Date: 1877-82
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 32.4 x 28.8 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0604
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "sea giving up its dead / up its dead" in pencil, lower part of inscription cut off. Inscribed on reverse, centre "A19[?]" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "239

Description

Three-quarter length study for two male figures in the centre of the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead that were in it' (1891-92, Tate Britain). The figure to the right is similar to the central male figure in the painting. However, the left hand reaches across the body to support a second male figure and the face looks almost directly up. The second male figure clings to the right side of the first, in a similar pose to the male child who clings to his left side in the finished painting. Unlike the boy this figure also looks up. 

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

• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.222, catalogue number 115g
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.170 (listed under catalogue number 354) 

Exhibition history

• 15 February 1996 to 21 April 1996, 'Frederic Leighton 1830-1896', The Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 115g