Study of a Girl Playing a Horn and a Female Figure

Drawing details

Title: Study of a Girl Playing a Horn and a Female Figure
Media: Watercolour and black chalk on white paper
Dimensions: 10.5 x 5.4 cm
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Picture credit: By Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Reference number: 735-1896
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower right "I / I / ú2-20". Inscribed on reverse, centre "Q78" encircled.

Description

Left of sheet: full-length study of a young girl standing in profile facing the right and playing a horn. The figure wears a beige skirt, white blouse, black or grey bodice (or waistcoat), and black tights. The right hand holds a horn to her mouth while the left hand rests on the chest. The infant has short, fair hair. Right of sheet: rough compositional sketch for a portrait of a female figure. The figure's chin rests on the right hand. The sketch has been drawn sideways on the sheet. 

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 Q78, 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

• 'Exhibition of Works by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton President of the Royal Academy: Winter Exhibition', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1897, p.47 catalogue number 261
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Company, London, 1906, p.228 

Exhibition history

• 04 January 1897 to 13 March 1897, 'Exhibition of Works by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton, President of the Royal Academy', Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 261