'Lieder Ohne Worte' ('Songs without Words')

Painting details

Title: 'Lieder Ohne Worte' ('Songs without Words')
Date: c.1860
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 101.6 x 62.9 cm
Location: Tate Britain, London

Interpretation

The title of this painting, meaning 'songs without words', is the same as the name of a pianoforte by Felix Mendelssohn (composer, 1809-1847), composed in 1829. Leighton's painting shows the central figure listening to the 'songs without words' of birds singings and water trickling. Leighton met Mendelssohn's widow in about 1852, whom he described as "a charming woman". [Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic, Lord Leighton', George Allen, London, 1906, volume I, p.56]

Description

Full-length seated female figure, facing the viewer. The figure is seated beneath stone archways, next to a fountain. The head is tilted downwards slightly. The right arm is extended and resting on top of the fountain. The left arm rests at the side of the body and holds the left foot. The figure's right leg is crossed underneath the left leg. The figure is in grey and purple drapery. To the right of the canvas the well is flows into a pitcher. Two water pitchers stand on the ground immediately to the left of the figure. A set of stairs lead into the background. On the stairs a full-length figure, with her back to the viewer is ascending the stairs. The figure is dressed in orange drapery. The figure is carrying water pitchers in both hands. To the right of the canvas in the background a lion head fountain is visible. Above this a bird is perched.

Provenance

Bibliography

• Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic, Lord Leighton', George Allen, London, 1906, volume II, p.17, 57, 58, 60, 61-63, 65, 367
• Jones, Stephen, et al., 'Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.15, 122-124, illustrated on p.123, catalogue number 21
• Newall, Christopher, 'The Art of Lord Leighton', Phaidon Press Ltd., London, 1990, p.32, 33, 35, illustrated on p.35
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London

Exhibition history

• 1861, Royal Academy of Arts, catalogue number 550