Study for an Illustration for 'Ariadne at Naxos': Composition

Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Ariadne at Naxos': Composition
Date: c.1860
Media: Pencil and bodycolour on blue paper
Dimensions: 18.4 x 12.9 cm
Location: The British Museum, London
Picture credit: The Trustees of The British Museum, London
Reference number: 1897,0512.32
Inscriptions: Stamped lower left with the monogram "LLC" encircled, in black ink.

Interpretation

Leighton's illustration for 'Ariadne' was published in the 'Cornhill Magazine' in December 1860 to accompany a sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (poet and essayist,1806-1861). Leighton first met Robert Browning and his wife Elizabeth between 1852 and 1855, when they lived in an apartment in the Casa Guidi, Florence and Leighton was living in Rome and frequently visiting Florence. Elizabeth died the year after the publication of this illustration. This is one of two studies for the illustration. It appears to be the less complete and further removed from the final illustration of the two and is likely to be the earlier.

Description

Study for the composition of the illustration 'Ariadne' (1860, published in the 'Cornhill Magazine'). The composition is a mirror image of the illustration and, unlike the final version, it is bordered by ruled lines. Decoration hangs from each corner of the pediment, however, this was not included in the final design. The British Museum, London has a second drawing for this composition and of the two, this version includes less detail. 

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

• 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 254 (b)