Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Hands

Drawing details

Title: Study for 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...': Hands
Date: 1853
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 30.2 x 21.3 cm
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum
Picture credit: By Courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Reference number: 754-1896
Inscriptions: Monographed centre right "FL" in pencil. Inscribed and dated centre right "Lorenza / Roma / 1853" in pencil in the artist's hand

Interpretation

The study in the centre of the sheet may have been made for the left hand of the male figure holding the sheet of music, to the left of the composition. However, in the final painting, this hand is not in the same pose. The other two studies are not directly related to any of the hands in the finished painting.

Description

Upper centre of sheet: study of a right hand, hanging down from the wrist with the index finger straightened and the other fingers slightly bent for the painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection). The back of the hand faces the viewer. Centre of sheet: left hand held horizontally and is holding a piece of paper between the thumb and forefinger. The hand at the bottom is a left hand, seen from the back, and is pointing down and holding the fabric of a skirt. 

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 M32, originally priced at ú12:12:0); 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.44 catalogue number 234
• 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 

Exhibition history

• 04 January 1897 to 13 March 1897, 'Exhibition of Works by the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton President of the Royal Academy: Winter Exhibition', Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 234