Study for 'Cymon and Iphigenia': Sleeping Female Figures

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cymon and Iphigenia': Sleeping Female Figures
Date: c.1884
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 21.1 x 31.5 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Picture credit: The Trustees of The British Museum, London
Reference number: 1897,0512.26
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left with the monogram "LLC" encircled, in black ink.

Description

Study for the sleeping group to the right of the painting 'Cymon and Iphigenia' (c.1884, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney). This drawing differs from the final painting in that the female figures are both adults whereas in the painting, one is a child. The pose is also quite different as the figure closest to the viewer lies on her right side and leans back over the bent leg of the second figure, with the head seen in profile facing upwards. The second female figure lies behind the first, on her right side, resting her head on the left arm of the other and draping her left arm across the hips of the other. 

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.168 (listed under catalogue number 313)
• 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 259