Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Composition

• enlarge drawing

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Composition
Date: c.1852-53
Media: Pencil and gouache on paper
Dimensions: 18.2 x 43.0 cm
Location: Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
Picture credit: Courtesy of the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, Friends of the Fogg Art Museum Fund
Reference number: 1943.723
Inscriptions: Stamped on reverse with the mark of Eduard Jakob von Steinle (German 'Nazarene' painter, 1810-1886).

Interpretation

Despite the differences between this drawing and the finished work, it is remarkable that the majority of the composition and the poses of the figures remained virtually identical for such a complex composition. A similar tracing for the composition is held at Leighton House Museum. This drawing once belonged to Leighton's former teacher, and lifelong friend, Eduard Jakob von Steinle (German 'Nazarene' painter, 1810-1886), and was probably given to Steinle by the artist.

Description

Study for the composition of the painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). Some details of this composition differ from the finished work. For example the dog, seen to the right of the composition, the man on horseback to the left of the composition, and three of the four plants pots which sit on the wall, are all not included in the finished work. Also, the tapestry which hangs from the window to the left is shorter, and the procession continues in a straight line, whereas in the finished work, it turns towards the viewer at the left hand side. 

Provenance

Collection of Eduard Jakob von Steinle (painter, 1810-1886); one of nine drawings purchased by Grenville L. Winthrop (collector, 1864-1943) through Martin Birnbaum (art dealer, fl.1914-1970) for ú464.00; bequeathed to the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University by Grenville Winthrop in 1943 

Reproductions

Millar, Sir Oliver, 'The Victorian Pictures in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen', Cambridge University Press, 1992, p.162, fig.56; Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.150 (listed under catalogue number 23)