Studies of Male and Female Figures and Male Heads

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Drawing details

Title: Studies of Male and Female Figures and Male Heads
Date: 1857
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 25.3 x 18.7 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0972
Inscriptions: Inscribed upper left "negro - dirty orange slip" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed, monographed and dated, lower left "Algiers / 5 FL 7" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "Q4" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

This drawing was made during Leighton's visit to Algiers in the autumn of 1857. There are four similar drawings made on the same trip in the collection at Leighton House Museum (reference numbers LHO/D/0973-4 and LHO/D/0976-7) and one similar study at the Victoria and Albert Museum (reference number 764-1896). The figure in the centre right of the sheet was later used by Leighton for the figure to the left of the painting 'Lieder Ohne Worte' (c.1860-61, Tate).

Description

Upper third of sheet, from left to right: full-length study of a seated male figure, facing the viewer; study of the head of a male figure, in profile, facing to the right; study of the head of a male figure, in profile, facing to the right; full-length study of a standing male figure facing the viewer; study of a male head in profile, facing to the left. Central third of sheet, from left to right: full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, holding a dish at shoulder height in the left hand; full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, with the left hand reaching to the drapery on the left shoulder; full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, with a container, possbly a basket, resting on the head; full-length study of a standing female figure, in profile, facing to the right; full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, with a pitcher resting on the head and a dish held at waist height in the left hand; full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, with a pitcher resting on the head; full-length study of a standing female figure, with back to the viewer and holding a dish at shoulder height in the left hand. Lower third of sheet, from left to right: full-length study of a female figure, in profile, facing to the left, holding a baby with the left arm; full-length study of the same figure and baby, with back to viewer, facing to the left; full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, heacily draped with head covered. 

 

Exhibition history

• 19 September 2005 to 09 December 2005, 'The Leighton Drawings Project: A Preview', Leighton House Museum, London