Study for 'Tragic Poetess': Drapery for Female Figure

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Tragic Poetess': Drapery for Female Figure
Date: c.1890
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 48.4 x 31.7 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Picture credit: The Trustees of The British Museum, London
Reference number: 1897,1221.3

Description

Drapery study for the female figure of the poetess, seated facing the viewer, in the painting 'Tragic Poetess' (c.1890, 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.170 (listed under catalogue number 352)
• 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 266