Study for 'Actaea, Nymph of the Shore': Female Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Actaea, Nymph of the Shore': Female Figures
Date: c.1867
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 44.1 x 28.2 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0791
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, lower right "ú2.2.0" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, lower right corner "15" in pencil, written sideways. Inscribed on reverse, centre "H53" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on r

Description

Upper half of sheet: full-length nude study for the female figure in the painting 'Actaea, Nymph of the Shore' (c.1868, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa). The pose is similar to the finished painting, although the right elbow is further from the body and the model is thinner. Below this is a full-length draped study of the same figure. Lower half of sheet: full-length nude study for the same figure. Unlike the painting, the figure is turned to the left so that the feet are nearest the viewer. Below this is a full-length draped study of the figure in the same pose. 

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.159 (listed under catalogue number 182)