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

Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Actaea, Nymph of the Shore': Female Figures
Date: c.1867
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 24.5 x 27.7 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0816
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower centre "Project" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "J32" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "312" encircled, in blue biro, crossed out in blue biro. Inscribed on

Description

Upper half of sheet: full-length study of a reclining female figure, lying on her left side. The knees are bent and the right hand rests on the ground. Drapery covers the lower half of the body. Lower half of sheet: full-length study for the reclining female figure in the painting 'Actaea, Nymph of the Shore' (c.1868, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa). The figures lies on drapery, as in the finished work, however, unlike the painting, there is also drapery covering the lower body, and possibly the head. 

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 

Reproductions

38202