Study for 'The Star of Bethlehem': Male Figure

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Star of Bethlehem': Male Figure
Date: 1862
Media: Black and white chalk on tracing paper
Dimensions: 9.7 x 3.0 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1164
Inscriptions: Inscribed upper right "No. 65" in pen and ink. Inscribed lower centre "The Star of / Bethlehem 1892" in pencil. (This date is not correct as the painting dates from 1862.)

Description

Traced study for the figure of the king in the painting 'The Star of Bethlehem' (1862, untraced). The headdress of the figure differs slightly from the finished painting. 

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 

Bibliography

• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.154 (listed under catalogue number 79)