Study for a Design for an Invitation to a Banquet: Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for a Design for an Invitation to a Banquet: Composition
Date: c.1871
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 18.7 x 23.4 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1192
Inscriptions: The inscription in the centre of the design is not legible. The date June 1871 can be seen in the centre and the word 'London' appears to be written at the bottom. The rest of the inscription appears to be 'SOCIETAIRES [or SOLICITAIRES] DI __ COMEDY

Interpretation

This is the design for an illustrated invitation to a banquet, held on 08 July 1871 by the French society of actors called the Societaires de la Comedie Francaise. An example of the printed invitation is in the collection at Leighton House Museum and is inscribed "BANQUET / offert / a et x / SOCIETAIRES DE LA COMEDIE FRANCAISE / 8 Julliet 1871 / FL LONDRES FL". (The final monogram is a mirror image of the first.) Another study for he composition of the design, in black and white chalk on blue paper, was sold through Christies (auctioneers) in London on 10 March 1995 ('Victorian Pictures, Drawings & Watercolours', lot 189).

Description

Traced study for the design for and invitation to a banquet, held by the Societaires de la Comedie Francaise. 

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); presented to the Royal Academy of Arts, London by Matthews and Orr in 1896