Study for 'The Wise and Foolish Virgins': Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Wise and Foolish Virgins': Composition
Date: c.1863
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 12.5 x 29.4 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1104
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No. 44" in pencil.

Interpretation

An oil sketch at St. Michael and All Angels, Lyndhurst, Hampshire shows Christ in a frontal pose, therefore this tracing may have been made after the oil sketch as it is more like the completed work.

Description

Traced study for the composition of the fresco 'The Wise and Foolish Virgins' (1862-64, St. Michael and All Angels Church, Lyndhurst). The tracing is similar to the finished painting although the pose of Christ differs slightly. In the finished work Christ is shown turned further to the right. 

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.155 (listed under catalogue number 93)