'The Bath of Psyche'

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Painting details

Title: 'The Bath of Psyche'
Date: c.1890
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 189.2 x 62.2 cm
Location: Tate Britain, London
Picture credit: Courtesy of Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (illustrated from a photogravure)

Description

Full-length, nude, standing female figure. The figure's head is facing the viewer, the body is half turned to the left of the painting. The figure's arms are raised above her head and she holds white drapery around her body. At the feet of the figure yellow drapery is visible and a bronze water jug. In the foreground a bath of water is visible. In the background steps lead to to classical pillars. Between the pillars a dark coloured curtain is hung. At the foot of the curtain two doves are visible. Two more doves sit on top of the curtain to the left of the painting.

Provenance

Purchased by the Chantrey Bequest of the Tate Gallery (Tate Britain) (lot number 1574)

Bibliography

• Jones, Stephen et al., 'Frederic Leighton', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, catalogue number 108. Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.170, catalogue number 350, plate 184
• Rhys, Ernest, (prefatory essay by Stephens, F. G.) 'Sir Frederic Leighton, Bart., P. R. A.: An Illustrated Chronicle', George Bell and Sons, London, 1895, illustrated opposite p.42, p.43

Exhibition history

• 1890, Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 243
• 1890, Liverpool Autumn Exhibition, catalogue number 852
• 1891, Birmingham
• 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 51
• 1930, Leighton House, catalogue number 4

Reproductions

Photogravure by the Berlin Photographic Co. (68 x 18); Carbontype by Autotype Co., July 9, 1903