Studies for 'The Dance' and 'Music': Seated Female Figures, Hands

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'The Dance' and 'Music': Seated Female Figures, Hands
Date: c.1882
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 23.1 x 31.8 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0629
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower "Projects" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "J89" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

The study to the upper left of this sheet, is similar to the pose for a seated female figure to the left of the companion to this painting, 'The Dance' (c.1881-83, Leighton House Museum). However the pose was reversed in the 'The Dance', the earlier of the two paintings. Many of the drawings for each of the paintings were probably made at the same time.

Description

Upper left of sheet: full-length study for the seated female figure, in green and red, to the left of the painting 'The Dance' (c.1881-83, Leighton House Museum). The figure leans to the left and looks up to the right, whereas in the finished painting the pose of this figure is reversed. Upper centre of sheet: study for the hands of the seated female figure to the left of the painting 'Music' (c.1883-85, Leighton House Museum). Upper right of sheet: full-length study for the same seated female figure. The head is raised higher than in the finished painting. Lower left of sheet: full-length study for the same figure. Unlike the painting, the figure is turned to almost face the viewer and the head falls forward. Centre of sheet: full-length rough study for the same figure. Unlike the painting, the figure faces the viewer. Centre right of sheet: study for the hands of the same figure. 

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.167 (listed under catalogue number 309)