Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'Escaped'

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Drawing details

Title: Study for an Illustration for 'Romola': 'Escaped'
Date: c.1862
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 16.4 x 10.8 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/939
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "No. 39" in pencil.

Interpretation

This study depicts the character Romola, who has left her husband Tito, and is leaving Florence disguised as a nun. This scene was engraved by W. J. Linton and published in Volume 7 (opposite p.29) of the 'Cornhill Magazine'.

Description

Tracing for the composition of the illustration 'Escaped', Chapter V, Book II, 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