Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Hands

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Hands
Date: 1854
Media: Pencil on paper
Dimensions: 29.0 x 21.5 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Picture credit: The Trustees of The British Museum, London
Reference number: 1897,0512.34
Inscriptions: Signed with monogram and inscribed and dated "Carlo Roma 1854". Inscribed "troppo tozzo il palmo", (the palm too stumpy).

Description

Two clasped hands, with the one hand open and a flower between finger and thumb, a right hand holding a carnation, and two hands clasped and raised, seen from the side for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-1855, Royal Collection, Windsor). 

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.150 (listed under catalogue number 23)
• 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 251
• 06 November 2003 to 01 February 2004, 'The Canvas of Many Feet: Frederic Leighton in Rome, 1852-55', Leighton House Museum, London.