Study for 'Helen of Troy': Composition

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Helen of Troy': Composition
Date: c.1865
Media: Black chalk heightened with white on blue paper
Dimensions: 16.0 x 11.6 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Reference number: 1897,0512.24
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left "LLC" encircled in blue ink.

Interpretation

This small compositional sketch for the painting 'Helen of Troy' (c.1865, private collection) probably represents Leighton's initial concept for the work which generally changed very little during the process of creating the painting. This may have been the first, or one of the first, drawings made in preparation for the painting. The V&A tracing may be taken from this drawing. Helen is shown walking from the Scaean Gate, followed by her two handmaids, Aethre and Clymene, seen to her left. Behind the figures are the towers of Troy. To the right of Helen is the sea.

Description

Study for the composition of the painting 'Helen of Troy' (c.1865, private collection). 

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

• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.156 (listed under catalogue number 118)
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Co., London, 1906, p.225 

Exhibition history

• 1901, 'Exhibition of Drawings and Sketches', The British Museum, London, catalogue number B 260