Study of a Seated Female Figure

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Drawing details

Title: Study of a Seated Female Figure
Date: 1863-64
Dimensions: 24.0 x 26.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0853 verso
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Design for Samson and the Lion" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "853/C6" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, upper right "B.7" in pencil.

Interpretation

This study is likely to be an idle sketch of a friend or acquaintance of the artist and may be of one of Leighton's sisters.

Description

Head and shoulders study of a female figure, facing the viewer. The eyes are heavy and she has straight, tied-up hair. She wears a plain, contemporary dress. 

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 (Fine Art Society reference number B7); purchased from the Fine Art Society by Mrs. Emilie Isabel (Russell) Barrington (author and painter, 1844-1933) for ú14:14:0; presented to Leighton House Museum by Barrington in c.1897 

Bibliography

• Anon., 'Catalogue of Drawings by the late Lord Leighton Preserved for the Nation', Leighton House Committee, 1897, catalogue number 7 "Elijah in the Wilderness and other Subjects"
• Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic, Lord Leighton', George Allen, London, 1906, volume II, illustrated opposite p.94
• 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, Lon