Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna ...': Drapery for Male and Female Figures

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna ...': Drapery for Male and Female Figures
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 verso

Description

Upper half of sheet: drapery study for a left arm, bent at right angles with the shoulder and elbow nearest the viewer and the hand held away from the viewer. The outline of the hand is lightly drawn in. Lower half of sheet: drapery study for the shoulder and left arm of the female figure in a hat and blue scarf on the balcony, to the left of the finished painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). The small dog, seen peering over the left arm in the finished work, is not shown here. 

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