Study for 'Return of Persephone': Drapery for Hermes

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Return of Persephone': Drapery for Hermes
Date: c.1890
Media: Black and white chalk on grey-brown paper
Dimensions: 36.7 x 28.7 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0775
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower centre "Project" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "227" encircled, in black biro, crossed out with black biro.

Interpretation

Hermes, the messenger God, was also known as Mercury by the Romans.

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

• 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 53f
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.171 (listed under catalogue number 360)
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Pub 

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 53f (exhibited in the Silk Room)