Study of a Female Figure

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Drawing details

Title: Study of a Female Figure
Date: 1853
Media: Black chalk and bodycolour on paper
Dimensions: 42.9 x 24.9 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/641
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower left "25" encircled, in pencil. Inscribed lower right "Early study / Woman with guitar" in pencil. Labelled on mount "Study of a woman with a guitar. Black chalk and Chinese / white on brown paper" in ink (printed).

Interpretation

The pose of the model is very similar to that of a nude study of a female figure, also at the Royal Academy (reference number 04/630), and these are likely to be Leighton's nude and draped studies for a figure in a painting. The model of the nude study is almost certainly the same as the model for this drawing. Leighton has noted her name, Teresa, on the nude version. This may be an early idea for one of the figures in 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). The dress and pose are similar to the female figure playing a harp,at the left of the painting.

Description

Full-length study of a standing female figure, facing the viewer, playing a guitar. Her weight rests on her right leg. She holds a guitar at waist height with her left hand and strums the guitar with the right hand. The head is tilted slightly to the left. She wears a long Renaissance style dress, with wide sleeves. Some of the white paint used has oxidised and turned black. 

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