Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Female Figure

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'And the sea gave up the dead which were in it': Female Figure
Date: 1882-84
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 30.3 x 22.7 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0845
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Study for Sea gave up its dead" in pencil. Stamped lower left corner "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, upper right " ed 392/ old627/ k" in pencil.

Interpretation

In his essay 'Leighton's Debt to Michelangelo: The Evidence of the Drawings', Stephen Jones, former curator of Leighton House Museum, points out the striking similarity between this "piece of superb draughtsmanship" and Michelangelo's 'Dying Slave' (c.1513-16, The Louvre, Paris). The connection is less apparent in the finished work. [Stephen Jones, 'Leighton's Debt to Michelangelo: The Evidence of the Drawings, 'Lord Leighton 1830-1896 and Leighton House: A Centenary Celebration', Apollo Magazine, London, 1996 p.38 figure 10]

Description

Three-quarter length nude study for the female figure in the painting 'And the sea gave up the dead that were in it' (1891-92, Tate). The right arm of the male to the right of the figure is also indicated. The pose is similar to that of the finished painting, although the male arm is raised higher, and the head of the female figure is more forward. Lower left of sheet: study for the arm of the same female figure. The right hand of the male to the right of the figure is also indicated. 

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

• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.222 catalogue number 115s (illustrated p.229)
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.170 (listed under catalogue number 354)
• Simon, Robin (editor), 'Lord Leighton 1830-1896 and Leighton House: A Centenary Celebration', Apollo Magazine, London, 1996 p.38 figure 10
• Gaunt, William (introduction), 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Ta 

Exhibition history

• 15 February 1996 to 21 April 1996, 'Frederic Leighton 1830-1896', The Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 115s
• 1969, 'High Victorian Art: An Exhibition in Conjunction with the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the York Art Gallery', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 128

Reproductions

38216