Study for 'The Triumph of Music': Eurydice

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Drawing details

Title: Study for 'The Triumph of Music': Eurydice
Date: c.1855
Media: Red chalk on brown paper
Dimensions: 23.1 x 21.5 cm
Location: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picture credit: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Reference number: 04/540
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower left "27" encircled, in pencil.

Interpretation

This and an oil sketch at Leighton House Museum are the only known studies which survive for the painting.

Description

Half-length nude study for the figure of Eurydice to the left of the painting 'The Triumph of Music.' (c.1855-56, untraced). The shoulders, upper arms and breasts are drawn in detail. The head and lower body are lightly sketched and the hands and left forearm are not drawn at all. 

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