Study for 'Rizpah': Drapery for Rizpah

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Rizpah': Drapery for Rizpah
Date: c.1893
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 34.4 x 25.0 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Picture credit: Courtesy of The Guildhall Library (illustrated from Spielmann, M. H., 'The Royal Academy Exhibition', The Magazine of Art, 1893, p.217)
Reference number: 1897,0512.17

Interpretation

Leighton allowed this drawing to be reproduced in 1893, for an article in 'The Magazine of Art' (p.217). Although these studies were working drawings and not intended to be exhibited or sold, Leighton had no objection to his drawings being photographed for reproduction. In this year he wrote to the art critic Harry Quilter (1851-1907) "I have for many years constantly declined to sell sketches of drawings, but shall be happy to lend you for reproduction the original study (from life) of one of my pictures... I see on looking over your letter again that you fix a date for the delivery of the drawing to be reproduced in the "[ ] Mag" I add therefore that it is at your disposal when you require it." [Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, reference number 12496].

Description

Drapery study for the figure of Rizpah in the centre of the painting 'Rizpah' (c.1893, untraced). 

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 The British Museum, London in 1897 (with 30 others drawings for a total of ú300) 

Bibliography

• Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander, 'The Royal Academy Exhibition-I', 'The Magazine of Art', 1893, illustrated on p.217
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.172 (listed under catalogue number 376)
• 'The Magazine of Art', 1893, illustrated p.217
• 'The Studio: An Illustrated Magazine of Fine and Applied Art', volume IX, 1896, illustrated p.115
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Co., London, 1906, illust 

Exhibition history

• 1901, 'Exhibition of Drawings and Sketches', The British Museum, London, catalogue number B 275