Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Lower Body, Legs, Feet

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Lower Body, Legs, Feet
Date: 1882
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 31.5 x 22.3 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0609
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "Sea gave up her dead" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "D11" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "249" in pencil, crossed out in black biro. Inscribed on r

Interpretation

These studies do not relate directly to the finished painting, but do relate to other studies for the painting. These are studies for the lower half of the male figure to the right of another drawing in the collection at Leighton House Museum (reference number LHO/D/0607). Leighton made several studies for this male figure before deciding to replace the figure with a boy.

Description

Lower left of sheet: study of a right leg, turned to the left, from lower thigh to foot, for the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead that were in it' (1891-92, Tate Britain). The foot is on tip toe or hangs in mid-air. Centre of sheet: half-length study of the lower half of a male figure, turned to the left, for the same painting. The feet are not indicated. Upper right of sheet: half-length study of the lower half of a male figure, turned to the left. The feet hang in mid-air. The left foot is higher than the right. To the right of this is a study for the left foot and ankle. Lower right of sheet: study of a left leg, turned to the left, from just above the knee to the ankle. Lower right corner of sheet: study for the right foot and ankle. These studies do not directly relate to any figure in 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.170 (listed under catalogue number 354)