Study for 'Captive Andromache': Female Figure with Pitcher

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Captive Andromache': Female Figure with Pitcher
Date: 1888
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 55.3 x 36.8 cm
Location: National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
Picture credit: Courtesy of The Guildhall Library (Spielmann, M. H., 'The Royal Academy Exhibition', The Magazine of Art, 1888, p.240)
Reference number: 2175
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Andromache" in pencil. Inscribed on reverse, centre "C46" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

Walter Armstrong (writer on art and director of the National Gallery of Ireland from 1892 to 1914, 1850-1915) travelled to London to select Leighton drawings from the Fine Art Society sale after Leighton's death in March or April 1897. He selected five drawings and purchased them for a total ú59 including a discount of ú2:19:0.

Description

full-length drapery study for the fifth standing female figure holding a pitcher, from the left of the canvas. The head arms and pitcher are lightly sketched in outline. 

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 (Fine Art Society reference number C46); purchased from the Fine Art Society by Walter Armstrong, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, on behalf of the Gallery for ú10:10:0 in March or April of 1897 

Bibliography

• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.169
• Potterton, Homan (Introduction), National Gallery of Ireland Illustrated Summary Catalogue of Drawings, Watercolours and Miniatures, National Gallery of Ireland Publications, 1983, illustrated p.472