Study for 'Return of Persephone': Drapery for Demeter

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Return of Persephone': Drapery for Demeter
Date: c.1890
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 55.8 x 36.9 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0698
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Figure of Ceres in Return of Persephone" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "D83" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

The Greek Goddess Demeter was also known as Ceres bu the Romans.

Description

Full-length drapery study for the figure of Ceres in the painting 'Return of Persephone' (c.1891, City Art Gallery, Leeds). The head, arms, legs and feet are 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 (Fine Art Society reference number D82); purchased from the Fine Art Society by Mrs. Leitch, c/o Mrs Henry Samuel of 84 Carlton Hill, London NW, for ú40:0:0; presented to Leighton House Museum by 1926 

Bibliography

• Barrington, Mrs. Emilie Isabel, 'Catalogue: Lord Leighton's House and What it Contains', 1900, reprinted as part of 'A Collection of Essays on Lord Leighton and his Works with Illustrated Catalogue of the Contents of Leighton House', privately published, London, 1900-01, p.169 catalogue number 53b
• Corkran, Alice, 'Frederic Leighton', Methuen and Co., London, 1904, illustrated opposite p.152
• Cockerell, Samuel Pepys (Foreward), 'Catalogue of a Collection of Studies for Pictures, Designs and Sketch 

Exhibition history

• 09 April 1900 to at least 1936, 'The Leighton House Collection' (intended to be a permanent display), Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 53b (exhibited in the silk room)
• 1969, 'Display of Drawings and Paintings in the Winter Studio and Perrin Gallery', Leighton House Museum, catalogue number 49