Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'Father I will be Guided'

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Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'Father I will be Guided'
Date: c.1862
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 16.7 x 10.7 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/1005
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No. 53" in pen and ink.

Interpretation

This scene depicts the character Romola being blessed by Savonarola.

Description

Traced study for the composition of 'Father, I will be guided', an illustration to Chapter VIII, Book II ('An Arresting Voice') for 'Romola' (first published in parts in the 'Cornhill Magazine' July 1862 to August 1863). Apart from being reversed this tracing is very similar in composition to the finished illustration, though it does not include various decorative details such as Romola's crucifix. 

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