Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead', later 'Perseus and Andromeda': Female Figure

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead', later 'Perseus and Andromeda': Female Figure
Date: c.1877
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 32.9 x 24.6 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0693
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower centre "Andromeda" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, on backing board, lower centre "Take 3/4 off right / then reduce to 5'' wide" in pencil.

Interpretation

This drawing has been likened to the sculpture of the 'Dying Slave' (c.1513-16, The Louvre, Paris) by Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian painter, 1475-1564). Blue paper like this was used by Leighton in the 1860s or '70s, but it clearly relates to the painting 'Perseus and Andromeda of c.1891. Stephen Jones, former curator at Leighton House Museum explains this by suggesting that it's an early unused study for the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it', of c.1877-79, which was used as a study later painting. [Stephen Jones, 'Leighton's Debt to Michelangelo: The Evidence of the Drawings, 'Lord Leighton 1830-1896 and Leighton House: A Centenary Celebration', Apollo Magazine, London, 1996 p.38]

Description

Half-length nude study for the figure of Andromeda in the painting 'Perseus and Andromeda' (c.1891, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool). The study differs from the finished work as the figure does not bend as far forward or lean as far to the right and the arms are held straighter with the left hand resting across the right, behind her back. 

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

• Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic, Lord Leighton', George Allen, London, 1906, volume II, illustrated opposite p.256
• Gere, Charlotte, et al., 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2006, p.67 catalogue number 4.1 (illustrated)
• Simon, Robin (editor), 'Lord Leighton 1830-1896 and Leighton House: A Centenary Celebration', Apollo Magazine, London, 1996, p.38 fig.11
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leight 

Exhibition history

• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 4.1