Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Male Figure on Horseback

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Male Figure on Horseback
Date: 1854
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 33.1 x 23.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0961
Inscriptions: Inscribed upper centre right "Carlo / Rome. / 18 FL 54" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed lower right "65" in pencil, written sideways. Inscribed on reverse, centre "262" in pencil, whited out. Inscribed on reverse, centre "Q63" encircled in

Interpretation

This is a study for Leighton's first design for the painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). This particular figure was not included in the finished painting, although it can be seen to the far left of early reproductions of a drawing for the composition, also at Leighton House Museum (reference number LHO/D/0457). The drawing has since been damaged and the figure is now more difficult to see. However, another version of the earlier composition, which also includes this figure on horseback, is at the Fogg Museum, Harvard University, U.S.A. (reference number 1943.723).

Description

Full-length nude study for a seated male figure with back to viewer, turned to the right, for the painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). The figure is intended to be on horseback. He holds a lance against his right hip with the right hand. The right foot is on tip-toe in a stirrup. He has short curly or wavy hair. Part of a saddle, part of the spear and one stirrup are also indicated. This figure was not used in the finished painting. 

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 Q63); collection of Mrs. Emilie Isabel (Russell) Barrington (author and painter, 1844-1933); presented to Leighton House Museum by Barrington in c.1897 

Bibliography

• Barrington, Mrs. Emilie Isabel (preface), '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, London, p.167 catalogue number 42d
• Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'Lord Leighton's House, and What it Contains', 'Magazine of Art', 1899, p.532, illustrated opposite p.534
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale 

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 42d (exhibited in the Silk Room)
• 1969, 'Display of Drawings and Paintings in the Winter Studio and Perrin Gallery', Leighton House Museum, catalogue number 17