Study for 'Cymon and Iphigenia': Iphigenia

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cymon and Iphigenia': Iphigenia
Date: c.1884
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 13.5 x 31.4 cm
Location: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Picture credit: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Reference number: WA1950.178.282
Inscriptions: Stamped, lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink. Inscribed on mount, lower centre "FREDERIC, LORD LEIGHTON" in brown ink. Inscribed on mount, lower right "CHARLES EMANUEL GIFT 1950" in brown ink. Inscribed on mount, upper left "9" in pencil. Inscri

Interpretation

The Fine Art Society published an engraving of the painting 'Cymon and Iphigenia' (c.1884, private collection) and a booklet on 'The Story of the Picture' in 1884, probably intended to promote sales of the engraving. This drawing was engraved by C. Dietrich and was one of seventeen studies for the painting reproduced in the booklet. Most of those reproduced are now untraced. This drawing is mounted above another drawings of the same subject (reference number WA1950.178.283).

Description

Full-length study of the sleeping female figure of Iphigenia in the centre of the painting 'Cymon and Iphigenia' (c.1884, private collection). The pose is almost identical to that of the painting, although the hands are not linked. 

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; presented to the Ashmolean Museum by Charles Emanuel in 1950 

Bibliography

• 'Art Journal', London, 1890, illustrated on p.130
• 'Cymon and Iphigenia: Painted by Sir F Leighton PRA: The Story of the Picture', The Fine Art Society, London, 1884, p.8 illustration 6
• 'Art Journal', London, 1890, illustrated p.131