Studies for the 'Royal Academy Jubilee Address': Female Figures

Drawing details

Title: Studies for the 'Royal Academy Jubilee Address': Female Figures
Date: 1887
Media: Black and white chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 27.8 x 36.5 cm
Location: National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
Picture credit: National Gallery of Ireland
Reference number: 3213
Inscriptions: Label to be transcribed

Interpretation

Walter Armstrong, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, 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

Left of the sheet is a full-length nude study for the female figure to the right of the design for the cover of the 'Royal Academy Jubilee Address' to Queen Victoria (1887, Royal Collection), including the twig or branch held in the right hand. To the right of the sheet is a drapery study for the female figure nearest the viewer to the left of the medal. For this study the upper half of the right arm has been lightly sketched in, but the head and feet are not indicated. 

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 M12); purchased from the Fine Art Society by Walter Armstrong, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, on behalf of the Gallery for ú12:12:0 in March or April of 1897 

Bibliography

• 04 January 1897 to 13 March 1897, 'Exhibition of Works by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton President of the Royal Academy: Winter Exhibition', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1897, p.51 catalogue number 308
• Potterton, Homan (Introduction), National Gallery of Ireland Illustrated Summary Catalogue of Drawings, Watercolours and Miniatures, National Gallery of Ireland Publications, 1983, illustrated p.472 

Exhibition history

• 04 January 1897 to 13 March 1897, 'Exhibition of Works by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton President of the Royal Academy: Winter Exhibition', Royal Academy, London, catalogue number 51