Studies for 'Clytemnestra', 'Eastern Slinger...', 'Phryne at Eleusis': Female Figures

Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Clytemnestra', 'Eastern Slinger...', 'Phryne at Eleusis': Female Figures
Date: c.1873
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 22.2 x 30.1 cm
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Picture credit: By Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Reference number: 730-1896
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "Projects". Inscribed on reverse "K15" encircled.

Interpretation

A very similar study to the sketch in the lower left corner of this sheet can be seen in a sketchbook at the Royal Academy of Arts (reference number XV) next to a study for the pose of the female figure in 'Phryne at Eleusis' (c.1882, untraced). Both of these studies show a similar female figures with drapery falling from the right shoulder and may have been made during the same life drawing session when the pose, later used for the final painting, was first drawn. The study of an arm, although similar to the left arm of the figure in 'The Bath of Psyche', was probably also made as a study for 'Phryne at Eleusis' (c.1882, untraced). The two studies for the 'Eastern Slinger..' show the same pose as the figure in the finished painting, but these are studies of female figures, whereas a male figure is used in the completed work. There are other examples of Leighton making a study using a model of the opposite sex to the character being depicted, for example his study for the head of Ahab at Tate Britain (reference number T08208).

Description

Upper left of sheet: full-length study of a standing female figure facing to the left with hands behind her and in classical dress. Lower left of sheet: full-length study of a nude standing female figure facing to the left with the left hand against the neck. The figure's weight rests on the right leg and the left leg is slightly bent. The head faces slightly down. A length of fabric falls from her right shoulder, behind her. Left of sheet: to the right of the two previous studies is a full-length study of a standing female figure facing the viewer. The right hand is behind her back and the left hand is held against the chest. The left foot is raised as though resting on a step. Upper centre of sheet: study of a left arm, raised above head height and bent at the elbow. A length of string or cord held in the hand. Below this is a full-length study of a standing female figure in profile facing to the left. The left foot is forward of the body and the head is bowed as if looking down at the foot. The figure wears a long dress. To the right is a full-length study for the female figure in the finished painting 'Clytemnestra' (c.1874, Leighton House Museum). Upper right of sheet: full-length nude study of a female figure in the pose of the figure in the finished painting 'Eastern Slinger...' (c.1875, untraced). Below this is a smaller, similar study. 

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); purchased by the Fine Art Society (Fine Art Society reference number K15, originally priced at ú2:2:0); one of 55 drawings purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum from the Fine Art Society for a total of ú135:18:0 (including a 10% discount) in 1896 

Bibliography

• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Company, London, 1906, p.227