Study of a Female Figure in Traditional Italian Costume

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Drawing details

Title: Study of a Female Figure in Traditional Italian Costume
Date: 1852-55
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 29.8 x 23.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0923
Inscriptions: Inscribed upper right "Silk turban / white ground with coloured flowers / upper garment bright olive silk / apron silk [illegible]/ prettiest blue silk /[illegible] gold / [illegible]shirt lace" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed centre righ

Interpretation

This is a study of the traditional costume of Prodica. Prodica is an island near Naples and Capri, in the Campania region of Italy. Leighton visited the region in 1859, the year that he made the famous 'Study of a Lemon Tree' in Capri, although according to the description this drawing was actually made in Rome. There are two other drawings of women in traditional Italian costume in the collection at Leighton House Museum and all three may have been made in Rome at about the same time (see reference numbers LHO/D/0924 and LHO/D/0962).

Description

Full-length study of a standing female figure, in profile, facing to the left. The head is turned to face the viewer. The hands hold a small basket at arm's length, in front of the figure. The basket rests on a low wall or plinth. The figure is in a traditional Italian costume, including a headdress, long dress, long coat, and an apron. 

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; purchased from the Fine Art Society by the Leighton Fund for ú5:5:0; presented to Leighton House Museum on c.1899 

Bibliography

• Anon., 'Catalogue of Drawings by the late Lord Leighton Preserved for the Nation', Leighton House Committee, 1897, catalogue number 2 "Studies of Costumes"
• 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.192 catalogue number 296
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretto 

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 296 (exhibited in the glass studio)