Study for the 'Jubilee Medal': Composition

Drawing details

Title: Study for the 'Jubilee Medal': Composition
Date: c.1886
Media: Black chalk and bodycolour on brown paper
Dimensions: 13.3 diame x 13.3 diameter cm
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Picture credit: By Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Reference number: E.1849-1910

Description

Study for the composition of Leighton's design for the reverse of the 'Jubilee Medal' (1887, Royal Collection). The design is very similar to the finished medal, although the lettering "IN.COMMEMORATION", across the top, is larger in scale, and the letters below this read "VR" (Victoria Regina), rather than "V / RJ" (Victoria Regina Jubilee), as in the finished medal. Also, unlike the completed design the third female figure from the left does not hold a scroll in her left hand, but wears a long cape. 

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 H19, originally priced at ú8:8:0); 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

• 'The Pictures of 1887', 'Pall Mall Gazette "Extra", No.34', 02 May 1887, illustrated p.1
• Staley, Edgcumbe, 'Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A.', The Walter Scott Publishing Company, London, 1906, p.227