Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'The First Kiss'

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Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'The First Kiss'
Date: 1862-63
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 16.7 x 11.0 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1038
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No 49" in pencil.

Interpretation

The illustration entitled 'The First Kiss' was engraved by W. J. Linton and published in Volume 6 (opposite p.289) of the 'Cornhill Magazine' in September 1862.

Description

Traced study for the illustration 'The First Kiss', Chapter XII, Book I ('The Prize is Nearly Grasped') for 'Romola' (first published in parts in the 'Cornhill Magazine' July 1862 to August 1863). This tracing, though reversed, is similar to the finished illustration. 

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