Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Head of Giotto

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Head of Giotto
Date: 1853
Media: Pencil on paper
Dimensions: 22.3 x 17.4 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Reference number: 1897,0113.2
Inscriptions: Inscribed, monographed and dated, lower right "Agostino / Roma / 18 FL 53" in the artist's hand. Inscribed lower left "(Study for Giotto)". Stamped on verso centre left "BRITISH/1897/1 13/2/MUSEUM"

Interpretation

A similar, but less fine and detailed study of the same model, in the same pose, is at the Royal Academy or Arts (reference number 04/641 verso).

Description

Study for the head of Giotto in the centre of the painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection, Windsor). 

Provenance

Purchased from J. E. Preston (antiquary and archaeologist, fl.1862-1897), of Littlebeck Hall, Gilstead, by the British Museum in 1897, (with a collection of 200 Italian etchings for a total of ú16:10:0) 

Bibliography

• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, catalogue number 9, p.107-108, illustrated p.9
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.150 (listed under catalogue number 23), plate 40
• Newall, Christopher, 'The Art of Lord Leighton', Phaidon Press Ltd., 1990, p.16, figure 8
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Co., London, 1906, p.224 

Exhibition history

• 1901, 'Exhibition of Drawings and Sketches', The British Museum, London, catalogue number B 250
• 5 February 1996 to 21 April 1996, 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 9
• 06 November 2003 to 01 February 2004, 'The Canvas of Many Feet: Frederic Leighton in Rome, 1852-55', Leighton House Museum, London.