Study of a Sleeping Baby

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Drawing details

Title: Study of a Sleeping Baby
Date: 1850
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 18.0 x 23.4 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0877
Inscriptions: Inscribed right of drawing "F Leighton / 50" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on reverse, centre "Q36" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "21/-" in pencil. Inscribed on rever

Interpretation

Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning's son, Robert Wiedmann Barrett Browning (later known as Penini or Pen), was born on 09 March 1849. This drawing may be a study of Pen made early in 1850. [Richardson, Joanna, 'The Brownings', London Folio Society, 1986, p.113]

Description

Right of sheet: head and shoulders study of a sleeping baby, lying in its back with the top of the head to the right of the sheet. The left arm is seen by the baby's side. The baby wears a bonnet and smock. Pillows and a blanket are 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 (Fine Art Society reference number Q36); purchased from the Fine Art Society by Mrs. Alfred Sassoon; presented to Leighton House Museum by Sassoon in c.1897 

Bibliography

• Anon., 'Catalogue of Drawings by the late Lord Leighton Preserved for the Nation', Leighton House Committee, 1897, catalogue number 27 "Studies of heads"
• Barrington, Mrs. Emilie Isabel, 'Catalogue: Lord Leighton's House and What it Contains', 1900, reprinted as part of 'A Collection of Essays on Lord Leighton and his Works with Illustrated Catalogue of the Contents of Leighton House', privately published, London, 1900-01, p.189 catalogue number 252
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, 

Exhibition history

• 09 April 1900 to at least 1936, 'The Leighton House Collection' (intended to be a permanent display), Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 252 (exhibited on the west wall in the glass studio)