Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'The Peasants' Fair'

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Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'The Peasants' Fair'
Date: c.1862
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 11.0 x 16.5 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/974
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No. 54" in pencil.

Interpretation

This study depicts a fair at which a man wearing a white mitre entertains a crowd.

Description

Traced study for the composition of 'The Peasants' Fair', an illustration for Chapter XIV, Book I for 'Romola' (1862-63). Apart from being reversed, this tracing is identical to the composition of 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