Studies for 'The Daphnephoria': Male Figures

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Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'The Daphnephoria': Male Figures
Date: 1874- 1876
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 24.4 x 32.4 cm
Location: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Picture credit: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
Reference number: WA1967.3.2
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 "PURCHASED 1967" in brown ink. Inscribed on mount, upper left "18" in pencil.

Interpretation

It is interesting that two studies on this sheet are very similar to figures in the painting 'The Daphnephoria' (1874-76, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight), athough they are mirror images of the painted versions.

Description

Left of sheet: full-length study for the fourth male figure from the left of the painting 'The Daphnephoria' (1874-76, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight). Although the pose is the same, the drawing is a mirror image of the figure in the painting. Centre left of sheet: full-length study of a similar male figure, with back to the viewer. Centre right of sheet: full-length study for the third male figure from the left of the painting. Again, the figure is a mirror image to the painted version. Right of sheet: full-length study of a similar male figure, holding the tripod on the left shoulder. Lower left of sheet: thumbnail sketches of three groups of two male figures with tripods. 

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 by the Ashmolean Museum in 1967 

Bibliography

• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.163 (listed under catalogue number 237)