Studies for 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis' and 'Summer Moon'

Drawing
Description
Further information

Image of drawing unavailable.

Drawing details

Title: Studies for 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis' and 'Summer Moon'
Date: 1869-70
Media: Black and white chalk on blue paper
Dimensions: 23.9 x 32.3 cm
Location: National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
Picture credit: National Gallery of Scotland
Reference number: D4801
Inscriptions: Stamped "FL". Stamped, Lower left "LLC" encircled, in black ink.

Description

Left of sheet: full-length study for the male figure, and two female figures before him, to the left of the painting 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis' (c.1869-71, Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford). Centre of sheet: full-length study for the group of two female figures, immediately to the right of the former group, in the finished painting. Upper right of sheet: full-length study for the two female figures in the painting 'Summer Moon' (c.1872, private collection). Lower right of sheet: full-length study for the one male and one female figure in the centre of the painting 'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis'. The pose is similar to the painting, although the female figure to the right, does not lean as far to the left. It appears that this study has been made from two female models.

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 in 1896; bequeathed to the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh by Sir David Young Cameron (landscape and architectural etcher, 1865-1945), in 1945.

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Related Paintings/Projects

'Summer Moon'
view painting/project

'Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Aclestis'
view painting/project