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: 1882-84
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 22.6 x 31.7 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0612
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, embossed. Inscribed lower left "Sea gave up her dead" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "4" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "D73" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "3/3/-" in pencil. Inscrib

Description

Left of sheet: full-length study of a kneeling male figure, facing the viewer, for the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead that were in it' (1891-92, Tate Britain). The head is turned to look up. Both hands are raised towards the shoulders with palms towards the viewer. Drapery is wrapped anround the lower body and across the shoulder, and thin lengths of drapery are wrapped around the lower body and torso. Centre of sheet: full-length study of a kneeling male figure, turned to the right, for the same painting. The head is bowed forward. The hands are held together above the head. The drapery is similar to the previous figure, although the drapery across the shoulders is also across the head and arms. Right of sheet: full-length study of a kneeling male figure, turned slightly to the right, for the same painting. The head is turned to look up. Both hands are raised above the head and hold a length of drapery which falls behind the body. The lower body is covered by drapery and then wrapped in thin lengths of drapery. 

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.227, catalogue number 115n
• 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 115n