Studies for 'Hit': Male Figure and Boy

Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Hit': Male Figure and Boy
Date: c.1893
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 22.0 x 31.2 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Picture credit: Courtesy of The Guildhall Library (illustrated from Meynell, Alice, 'The Royal Academy of Arts', The Art Journal, 1895, p.374)
Reference number: 1897,0512.30

Interpretation

This drawing was illustrated in 'Sir Frederic Leighton' (1895) by Ernest Rhys, the only biography of Leighton published during his lifetime. The 'Art Journal' chose to use it to illustrate their review of the book and published a presentation plate of the painting in the same year.

Description

Left of sheet: study for the male figure and boy in the painting 'Hit' (c.1893, private collection). Right of sheet: similar study of the same two figures. 

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); sold through Christie's, London 1896; purchased by the Fine Art Society; purchased from the Fine Art Society by The British Museum, London in 1897 

Bibliography

• 'The Art Journal', 1895, illustrated on p.374
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.172 (listed under catalogue number 374)
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Co., London, 1906, p.225 

Exhibition history

• 1901, 'Exhibition of Drawings and Sketches', The British Museum, London, catalogue number B 257