'Clytie'

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Painting details

Title: 'Clytie'
Date: c.1895-96
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 156 x 136 cm
Location: Private Collection
Picture credit: Courtesy of Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (illustrated from a photogravure)

Description

Full-length kneeling female figure with back to the viewer, turned to the left. Both arms are stretched out in front of her, with the hands held at head height. The figure has long red hair and is in classical dress. To the right of the composition is a plinth surmounted by pomegranates, and behind this a column. The background shows a landscape and cloudy orange sunset.

Provenance

Collection of Sir James Knowles; sold by Knowles through Christie's (auctioneers) on 29 May 1908 (lot 391); purchased by Sampson; private collection

Bibliography

• 'The Athenaeum', 22 February 1896, p.257
• 'The Athenaeum', 02 May 1896, p.587
• 'Art Journal', 1896, p.182
• Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic, Lord Leighton', George Allen, London, 1906, volume II, p.96, 263, 327
• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.110, 125
• 'Magazine of Art', 1896, p.293
• Newall, Christopher, 'The Art of Lord Leighton', Phaidon Press Ltd., London, 1990, p.128, 130, illustrated on 130
• Or

Exhibition history

• 1896, Royal Academy, catalogue number 213
• 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 60
• 1996, 'Frederic, Lord Leighton - Eminent Victorian Artist', Royal Academy, London, catalogue number 125
• 08 November 2006 to 25 February 2007, 'A Victorian Master: Drawings by Frederic, Lord Leighton', Leighton House Museum, London, ex. catalogue

Reproductions

Mezzotint by Scott Bridgewater (46 x 54), 1897; Photogravure by the Fine Art Society (53 x 46), 1897