Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Drapery for Boy

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Drapery for Boy
Date: c.1854
Media: Black chalk and bodycolour on white paper
Dimensions: 36.2 x 22.2 cm
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Picture credit: By Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Reference number: 742-1896

Description

Study for the tunic of an alter boy dressed in white and carrying a cross seen to the left of the painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). The left hand is held higher in this drawing and the tunic shown here has no slit in the front of the neckline, but has a button at the sleeve. 

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; 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

• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.150 (listed under catalogue number 23)
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Company, London, 1906, p.226