Studies for 'The Garden of the Hesperides': Female Figures with Serpent, Male Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'The Garden of the Hesperides': Female Figures with Serpent, Male Figures
Date: c.1891
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 28.0 x 37.1 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0705
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "Studies for Garden of Hesperides & c" in pencil. Stamped on reverse of backing board "RBK" in blue ink, 10 times, some faintly.

Interpretation

The study of two reclining female figures, seen to the upper left of this sheet, may have been inspired by two similar female figures seen in the painting 'Idyll' (c.1880-81, private collection).

Description

 

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)