Studies for 'Hit': Male Figure with Boy

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Hit': Male Figure with Boy
Date: c.1892
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 23.8 x 32.9 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0719
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower right "Studies for 'Hit'" in pencil.

Interpretation

These sketches are unusually poor and may have been drawn from Leighton's imagination, rather than from models. If so, it is remarkable that the pose of the figures to the right of the sheet, is so like that of the finished work. A similar, more finished drawing at the British Museum also shows two studies for these figures and was made after this study (reference number 1897.0512.30)

Description

Left of sheet: full-length study for the male figure and boy in the painting 'Hit' (c.1893, private collection). The pose differs from that of the painting as the legs of the male figure are both to the left of the boy, whereas in the finished work the boy stands between the figure's knees. Right of sheet: full-length study for the same two figures. In this sketch the pose is similar to the finished work. 

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.172 (listed under catalogue number 374)
• Rhys, Ernest, (prefatory essay by Stephens, F. G.) 'Sir Frederic Leighton, Bart., P.R.A.: An Illustrated Chronicle', George Bell and Sons, London, 1895, illustrated opposite p.58