'Idyll'

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Painting details

Title: 'Idyll'
Date: c.1880-81
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 105.4 x 213.4 cm
Location: Untraced
Picture credit: Courtesy of Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (illustrated from a photogravure)

Description

A seated male figure and two full-length reclinging female figures. To the left of the canvas there is a male figure, seated, with back to the viewer. He is seated on red drapery and has drapery around his waist. His arms are raised to play a flute. To the right of the canvas the first female figure reclines on pink drapery under a tree, in profile, facing the left. The second female figure reclines against the first female figure, in profile to the viewer, facing the left. Both are in classical dress. In the background there is a sea shore and yellow sky.

Provenance

Collection Ms. James Watney, collection Mrs, Charles Lyell; sold through Christie's, London 11 February 1949, (lot 64); purchased by R. McConnal; collection John Avery, Clock Restaurant, Welwyn; sold through Sotheby's, Belgravia 9 July 1974; untraced

Bibliography

• Jones, Stephen et al., 'Frederic Leighton', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, catalogue number 86. Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.164, catalogue number 276

Exhibition history

• 1881, Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 197
• 1891, Berlin
• 1894, Guildhall, catalogue number 19
• 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 83

Reproductions

Photograph by F. Hollyer for Lord Leighton, 1881