Study for 'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets...': Head of Romeo

• enlarge drawing

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets...': Head of Romeo
Date: 1854
Media: Pencil on paper
Dimensions: 19.4 x 15.4 cm
Location: Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
Picture credit: Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
Reference number: 1960P8
Inscriptions: Signed, dated and inscribed "Vincenzo / Roma / 18 FL 54".

Interpretation

This drawing, a study for the painting 'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets...' shows the head of Romeo from William Shakespeare's play 'Romeo and Juliet'. He is depicted just after having committed suicide by drinking poison. The youth and feminine features of the boy lead the Fine Art Society to give the drawing the title 'Head of Juliet' in the catalogue of their exhibition of Leighton's drawings which opened in 1896. [Cockerell, Samuel Pepys (Foreward), 'Catalogue of a Collection of Studies for Pictures, Designs and Sketches by the Late Lord Leighton, P.R.A.', The Fine Art Society, London, 1896, p.16 catalogue number 7, p.32]

Description

Study for the head of Romeo, in the painting 'The Reconciliation of the Montagues and Capulets...' (1853-55, private collection). 

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to his sisters, Mrs. Augusta Matthews (nTe Augusta Neunburg Leighton, 1835-1919) and Mrs. Alexandra Orr (nTe Alexandra Leighton, 1828-1903); purchased by the Fine Art Society in 1896; purchased from the Fine Art Society by Valentine Cameron (Val) Prinsep (painter and Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1838-1904); Collection of Miss Yvonne French; presented to Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery by French, in memory of Countess Voss, in 1960 

Bibliography

• Cockerell, Samuel Pepys (Forward), 'Catalogue of a Collection of Studies for Pictures, Designs and Sketches by the Late Lord Leighton, P.R.A.', The Fine Art Society, London, 1896, p.16 catalogue number 7, p.32
• 'Drawings and Studies by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Fine Art Society, 1898, plate VI
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.150, plate 47
• Rhys, Ernest, 'Frederic Lord Leighton: Late President of the Royal Academy of Arts