Portrait, probably of Walter Pennington Creyke

• enlarge drawing

Drawing details

Title: Portrait, probably of Walter Pennington Creyke
Date: 1855
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 29.6 x 22.2 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0880
Inscriptions: Inscribed centre right "18 FL 55" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed lower right "Studs done in Rome/55" in pencil. Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed lower left "70" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse "O82" encircled, i

Interpretation

This portrait bears such a strong resemblance to Leighton's study of Walter Pennington Creyke (fl.1855-1862) at the British Museum (reference number 1897,0412.7) that it is undoubtedly the same sitter. It may have been the inspiration for the head of Christ for the fresco 'The Wise and Foolish Virgins' (1862-64, St. Michael's, Lyndhurst), although Creyke is shown facing in the opposite direction.

Description

Study of the head of Walter Pennington Creyke (fl.1855-1862), looking down and to the right. The figure has a full beard, curly hair and a solemn expression. 

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; presented to the Leighton House Committee by Lady Blomfield 

Bibliography

• Anon., 'Catalogue of Drawings by the late Lord Leighton Preserved for the Nation', Leighton House Committee, 1897, p.15 catalogue number 20 (Studies of Heads)
• Gere, Charlotte, et al., 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2006, p.34 catalogue number 1.7 (illustrated) 

Exhibition history

• April 1897 to c.1899, 'Drawings by the late Lord Leighton Preserved for the Nation', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 20 (Studies of Heads)
• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 1.7