Study for 'The Garden of the Hesperides': Female Figures with Snake

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Garden of the Hesperides': Female Figures with Snake
Date: c.1891
Media: Black and white chalk on grey-brown paper
Dimensions: 28.4 x 37.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0699
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Garden of the Hesperides" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Stamped lower right corner "RBK" in blue ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "A73" encircled, in pencil.

Description

Full-length rough study for the three seated female figures in the painting 'Garden of the Hesperides' (c.1892, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight). The serpent, lyre and bowl are also indicated. However, the lyre, held by the figure to the left is held at a flatter angle, and the bowl, held by the figure to the right, is larger than 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

• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.171 (listed under catalogue number 364)
• Gaunt, William (introduction), 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, 1969, p.30, catalogue number 131 

Exhibition history

• 1969, 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 131