'Actaea, the Nymph of the Shore'

Painting details

Title: 'Actaea, the Nymph of the Shore'
Date: c.1868
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 57 x 102 cm
Location: National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
Picture credit: National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

Description

Full-length nude, reclining female figure, facing the viewer. The figure lies on her right side and rests on the elbow of the right arm. The left arm rests across the body, and the right hand rests over the left wrist. The head is turned to the right. The figure lies on drapery, on a beach. The background shows sea and mountains in the distance. Whales are visible in the sea to the right of the composition.

Provenance

Collection of W E J Roffey; sold through Christie's, London (auctioneers) on 10 July 1875 (lot 277); purchased by Maclean; sold through Christie's, London (auctioneers) on 16 June 1883 (lot 154); possibly the picture sold by Robinson and Fisher, 01 July 1893 (lot 197); sold through Christie's, London (auctioneers) on 15 March 1902 (lot 85), purchased by Robinson; collection of Barnet Lewis; sold through Christie's, London (auctioneers) on 28 February and 03 March 1930 (lot 196), purchased by Saville Gallery, London; collection of R E A Wilson; presented to National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa by R E A Wilson in 1930

Bibliography

• Jones, Stephen et al., 'Frederic Leighton', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.28 fig. 40
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.159 catalogue number 182, plate 106

Exhibition history

• 1868, Royal Academy of Arts, catalogue number 522
• 04 January 1897 to 13 March 1897, 'Exhibition of Works be the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton President of the Royal Academy: Winter Exhibition', The Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 49
• 1965, Ottawa, catalogue number 75