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

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Male Heads
Date: 1877-82
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 32.0 x 23.1 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0617
Inscriptions: Inscribed on reverse, centre "D17" encircled, in pencil, crossed out in red and black biro. Inscribed on reverse, centre "46" encircled, in pencil, crossed out in pencil, red biro and green / black biro. Inscribed on reverse, centre "601" encircled,

Interpretation

This elderly model with his distinctive thick, white beard features in two other drawings by Leighton. A similar study, also for the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it' (1891-92, Tate Gallery) was published in the 'Magazine of Art' in 1897, although in this version no drapery is wrapped around the head, as seen here. Also a portrait of the model, was reproduced in a biography of Leighton in 1895. These drawings are now untraced. [Baldry, Alfred Lys, 'Lord Leighton's Sketches', 'The Magazine of Art', illustrated on p.73; Rhys, Ernest, (prefatory essay by Stephens, F. G.) 'Sir Frederic Leighton, Bart., P. R. A.: An Illustrated Chronicle', George Bell and Sons, London, 1895, illustrated opposite p.64 ('Study of a Head')]

Description

Upper half of sheet: study of a male head, in profile, facing upwards and to the left, probably for the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead that were in it' (1891-92, Tate). He has a long beard and moustache. The shoulders are also indicated and are bare and turned towards the viewer. Drapery covers the top of the head. Lower half of sheet: study of the same male head, in profile, facing upwards and to the right. The moustache, but not the beard are seen as drapery covers the top of the head, neck, and chin. These studies are not directly related to the figures in the finished painting. 

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

• Simon, Robin (editor), 'Lord Leighton 1830-1896 and Leighton House: A Centenary Celebration', Apollo Magazine, London, 1996, p.37 fig. 8
• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.223, catalogue number 115h
• 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 115h