Studies of a Lemon Blossom

Drawing details

Title: Studies of a Lemon Blossom
Date: 1859
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 28.6 x 22.3 cm
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Picture credit: By Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Reference number: E.3803-1910
Inscriptions: Inscribed upper right "Lemon blossom / Capri/59 / buds pink violet" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed on reverse of backing card, upper left "R11 / gs/gs/ -" encircled. Inscribed on reverse of backing card, lower left "SBS / 18/isn [?] 1897"

Interpretation

Drawn on the island of Capri in 1859, this drawing is likely to have been made in the same day as the infamous 'Lemon Tree' now in a private collection. According to Ernest Rhys ('Frederic Lord Leighton', 1900, p.18) the lemon tree was "drawn in the Spring", and Mrs Barrington puts Leighton in Capri in the early summer. The presence of blossom doesn't confirm these timings as lemon trees produce large, white, flowers throughout the year, except in winter-time and can carry both blossoms and fruit at the same time.

Description

Upper half of sheet: detailed study of a branch of a lemon tree in blossom. Lower half of sheet: outline study of a branch of a lemon tree in blossom. 

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 R11, originally priced at ú7:7:0); 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

• Gere, Charlotte, et al., 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2006, p.49 catalogue number 2.7 (illustrated)
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, plate 29
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Company, London, 1906, p.226 

Exhibition history

• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 2.7