Study for 'The Vestal': Composition

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Vestal': Composition
Date: c.1882
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 25.6 x 18.0 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1128
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower centre "Vestal 1883 No 128" in pencil.

Interpretation

This tracing may have been made from a chalk study of the composition of the painting in the collection at Leighton House Museum (reference number LHO/D/1038). These are the only two studies known to exist and it was not uncommon for Leighton to make very few drawings in preparation for paintings of heads with straightforward compositions like this one.

Description

Traced study for the composition of the painting 'The Vestal' (1883, Leighton House Museum). A small amount of the right side of the face and veil are visible, whereas in the finished painting the face is completely in profile. The tracing is squared up. 

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