Study for 'Venus and Cupid': Venus

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Venus and Cupid': Venus
Date: c.1855
Media: Black chalk and bodycolour on blue paper
Dimensions: 45.4 x 19.7 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/687
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower left "4" (encircled) in pencil. Labelled on mount "(1) Study of a nude female figure for "The Frigidarium" / Black chalk on brown paper. / (2) Study of a nude female figure for "The Frigidarium" / Black chalk and Chinese white on brow

Interpretation

A label on the mount of this drawing reads: 'The Frigidarium'. However, the pose of this figure corresponds more closely with the female nude in the painting 'Venus and Cupid' (c.1856, private collection). Another similar study for this figure is also in the collection at the Royal Academy (reference number 04/684).

Description

Full-length nude study for the figure of Venus in the painting 'Venus and Cupid' (c.1856, private collection). 

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