Studies for 'Cupid and Dove' and 'Phryne at Eleusis': Cupid, Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Cupid and Dove' and 'Phryne at Eleusis': Cupid, Composition
Date: 1873
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 24.5 x 31.8 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0657
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "Project" in pencil. Inscribed centre left "Phryne" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "B91" encircled, in pencil, crossed out in blue biro. Inscribed on reverse, upper left

Description

Upper left of sheet: three small sketches of groups of standing figures. Thumbnail sketch for the composition of the painting 'Phryne at Eleusis' (c.1882, untraced). This differs from the final painting as the proportions are wider and there appear to be figures in the background. Centre of sheet: full-length study for the cherub in the painting 'Cupid and Dove' (1870s, untraced). The wings are smaller than those seen in the finished work, the head faces slightly to the right and the dish is held a little higher. Upper right of sheet: study for the head of the cherub in the painting 'Cupid and Dove'. The curved shape of the top of the canvas is also indicatied. Lower right of sheet: half-length study for the lower half of the cherub. The line of the bottom edge of the canvas is also indicated. 

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.166 (listed under catalogue number 288), p.167 (listed under catalogue number 311), p.168 (listed under catalogue number 323)