Study Day: Leighton and Landscape

About the Study Day

Join a panel of wide-ranging experts at Leighton House (the studio-home of Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton) for an engaging and informative study day exploring the art of landscape studies and travel in the 19th century, before delving into the history explored in the exhibition, Leighton and Landscape: Impressions from Nature.

The first major exhibition of Frederic Leighton’s small landscape oil sketches, painted en plein air between 1856 and 1896; discover the investigative research curators carried out to uncover Leighton's travel trail; the methods and techniques he employed and how his landscape studies  influenced his larger exhibition pictures. As well as an in-depth look at Leighton's meticulously detailed botanical 'Study of a Lemon Tree, Capri' (admired by art critic John Ruskin); hear about the inspirations for collecting Leighton's landscapes in the private realm.

Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions  and take part in discussions with a compelling line up of speakers, as well as visiting the exhibition of over 60 works from private and public collections.

Useful information:

• Talks take place in Leighton's studio at Leighton House.
• All welcome, no previous background in art or art history is required.
• Refreshments on arrival and light lunch are included within the ticket price. Please contact us with any dietary requirements.
• Talks will not be recorded.
• Ticket price is £45 / £12 with student concession .  
• Students resident and / or studying in Kensington and Chelsea join for free. Please ensure that you book your free ticket to guarantee your place.
• Please note that valid proof will be required on arrival to validate student concession and free tickets.

Book tickets

Schedule

9:30am Doors open

Refreshments on arrival  (coffee, teas, water, pastries)

Opportunity to view exhibition 

10.30 – 11.00 Study Day in session

11.30 – 12.00 Short comfort break 

12.00 – 1pm Study Day in session 

1 - 2pm Lunch break onsite. Includes a selection of sandwiches, cakes, coffee, teas, water

Opportunity to view exhibition  

2 - 4pm Study Day in session

4:30pm Doors close

Programme

10.30am - 11.00am - tbc

11am - 11.30am - Travel in the C19th.  

Rachel Mairs

12 - 12.30pm- Leighton’s landscape sketches.  

Pola Durajska

12.30 - 1pm - On Leighton's trail: subjects, titles, dates and locations.   

Daniel Robbins 

2 - 2.30pm - Little Notes of Truth:  sketches to exhibition pictures 

Hannah Lund 

2.30 - 3pm - Leighton and Capri:  Study of a Lemon Tree.  

Christopher Newall 

3pm - 3.30pm - Painting out of doors, Leighton’s equipment and technique.  

Ann Witheridge 

3.30 - 4pm - Collecting the landscapes:  in conversation with Charlotte Gere and Daniel Robbins 

Meet the speakers

Rachel Mairs is Professor of Classics and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Reading.

Pola Durajska is Head of Pictures at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auctioneers in Exeter. Her doctoral research at the University of York explored the landscape painting of Frederic Leighton.

Daniel Robbins is Senior Curator at Leighton House and Sambourne House. 

Hannah Lund is the Curator of Exhibitions and Displays at Leighton House and Sambourne House.

Christopher Newall is a noted art historian, writer and lecturer, and one of the leading authorities on Leighton’s life and work. 

Ann Witheridge is an artist and the founder of London Fine Art Studios.

Charlotte Gere is a writer, curator and nineteenth-century decorative art specialist. 

The Cosman Keller Art & Music Trust proudly supports Study Day: Leighton and Landscape.