'The Star of Bethlehem'

Painting details

Title: 'The Star of Bethlehem'
Date: 1862
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 152 x 60 cm
Location: Private Collection
Picture credit: Private Collection

Interpretation

Rather than making an oil sketch for this work, Leighton painted a small watercolour version on paper before undertaking the oil painting.

Description

Full-length, standing male figure, with back to viewer, turned to the left. A crown is held in the left hand. The lower third of the canvas shows a decorated archway to the left and an orange tree to the right. Beneath the arch is a half-length male figure, with back to viewer, turned to the right. The head is in profile, facing to the right. The left hand holds an oil lamp away from the body at head height. The right hand appears to hold something, possibly part of the figure's costume, at waist height in front of the figure. The figure has long hair and a long beard and moustache, and is in a long tunic.

Provenance

Sold by Christie's (auctioneers) in 1862 (according to Redford); collection of T. B. Holmes; untraced

Bibliography

• Corkran, Alice, 'Frederic Leighton', Methuen and Co., London, 1904, p.48, 102, 181, 185
• Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.55, 154 catalogue number 79
• Rhys, Ernest, 'Frederic Lord Leighton, Late President of the Royal Academy of Arts: An Illustrated Record of his Life and Work', George Bell and Sons, London, 1900, p.20, 109, 123

Exhibition history

• 1862, Royal Academy, catalogue number 217
• 1862, Liverpool, catalogue number 152
• 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 28

Reproductions

Photogravure by H. Oakes-Jones.