Study for 'The Return of Persephone': Composition

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Return of Persephone': Composition
Date: c.1890
Media: Pencil on tracing paper
Dimensions: 27.3 x 19.8 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/930
Inscriptions: Dated lower centre "1891" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "Return of Persephone" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "No. 3" in pencil. The drawing is divided into squares which are numbered from 1-16 from top to bottom and from 1-12 from left to right

Description

Traced study for the composition of 'The Return of Persephone' (c.1890-91, Leeds City Art Galleries). The composition is almost identical to that of the finished oil painting, the only differences being small details of the figures' drapery. The drawing is squared up. 

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 

Bibliography

• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.171 (listed under catalogue number 360)