'Study for 'A Boy Saving a Baby from the Clutches of an Eagle': Alternative Composition, Head of Boy

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Drawing details

Title: 'Study for 'A Boy Saving a Baby from the Clutches of an Eagle': Alternative Composition, Head of Boy
Date: c.1850
Media: Drawing, pencil and watercolour on white paper
Dimensions: 16.5 x 17.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0456 verso
Inscriptions: Inscribed lower left "Early design" in pencil. Inscribed lower right "blue yellow" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed lower right "yellow / blue" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed on reverse, lower left "G.99" in pencil. Inscribed on

Interpretation

This study is on the reverse of a more finished study for the painting (reference number LHO/D/0456).

Description

Study for the composition of the painting 'A Boy Saving a Baby from the Clutches of an Eagle' (c.1850-52, Leighton House Museum). The composition shown is entirely different to that of the finished painting. The boy stands, facing the viewer, with the head in profile facing to the left. He holds the scythe (a large curving blade) above his head. To the upper left of the circular composition the eagle flies in. There are several watercolour brush marks on the sheet. 

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to his sisters, Mrs. Augusta Matthews (n+e Augusta Neunburg Leighton, 1835-1919) and Mrs. Alexandra Orr (n+e Alexandra Leighton, 1828-1903); purchased by the Fine Art Society in 1896 (Fine Art Society reference number G99); purchased from the Fine Art Society by Mrs Emilie Isabel (Russell) Barrington (author and painter, 1844-1933) for ú2:2:0; presented to Leighton House Museum by Barrington in c.1897 

Bibliography

• Anon. 'Catalogue of Drawings by the late Lord Leighton Preserved for the Nation', Leighton House Committee, 1897, catalogue number 16 'Studies for designs (early and later)'
• Ormond, Leon+e and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.149 (listed under catalogue number 6)