Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'A Supper in the Rucellai Gardens'

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Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'A Supper in the Rucellai Gardens'
Date: c.1862
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 16.3 x 11.1 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1033
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No 53" in pen and ink.

Interpretation

This scene depicts the character Tito attending a lavish supper in the Rucellai Gardens, spied on by Baldassare (the figure seen to the left).

Description

Traced study for the composition of 'A Supper in the Rucellai Gardens', an illustration to Chapter VII, Book II, for 'Romola' (first published in parts in the 'Cornhill Magazine' July 1862 to August 1863). Apart from being reversed, this tracing is very 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