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: 8.8 x 26.0 cm
Location: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Picture credit: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Reference number: WA1950.178.281
Inscriptions: Inscribed on mount, upper left "7" in pencil. Inscribed on mount, centre left "8" in pencil.

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, intended to promote sales of the engraving. This drawing was engraved by C. Dietrich as one of seventeen studies for the painting reproduced in the booklet. Most of those reproduced are now untraced.

Description

Full-length study of the figure of Iphigenia in the centre of the painting 'Cymon and Iphigenia' (c.1884, private collection). The pose is similar to that of the painting, although the lower body is seen in profile, whereas in the painting her hips are turned toward the viewer. Also the hands are separated in the drawing and the figure is viewed from side, whereas in the final work she is at an angle so that the feet are closer to the viewer. 

Provenance

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.6 illustration 4
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.168 (listed under catalogue number 313)