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Study of three standing draped female figures, for "Music"

ca. 1883–85
Not on view
This sheet relates to "Music," a frieze Leighton painted in 1885 for Stewart Hodgson's drawing room at 1 South Audley Street, London. It was conceived to complement one he had completed two years earlier titled "Dance." Typically, the artist worked in well-defined stages—first making a color oil sketch, then nude studies in chalks, and finally drawings of draperies. The classical robes seen here are worn by three girls who sing, play a stringed instrument, and hold music, appearing at right in the completed composition.
Leighton's childhood was spent mostly on the Continent, where he pursued academic studies at Florence and Frankfurt before return to London for a sensational debut at the Royal Academy in 1855. When he showed "Cimabue's Madonna Carried in Procession through the Streets of Florence" that year, it was purchased by Queen Victoria. The young artist's precocity and continental training rubbed many academicans the wrong way, however, and delayed his election to full membership until 1869. From that date forward, however, Leighton assumed a leading place within London's art world.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Study of three standing draped female figures, for "Music"
  • Artist: Frederic, Lord Leighton (British, Scarborough 1830–1896 London)
  • Date: ca. 1883–85
  • Medium: Black and white chalk on brown paper
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 15 1/4 in. × 11 in. (38.7 × 28 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, PECO Foundation Gift, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.62
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The Sluggard, Frederic, Lord Leighton British, Bronze, dark olive brown patina, British, London
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J. W. Singer & Sons Ltd.
modeled 1886, cast possibly before 1896
Needless Alarms, Frederic, Lord Leighton British, Bronze, dark olive brown patina, British
Needless Alarms
Frederic, Lord Leighton
modeled 1886, cast 19th century
Samson Carrying the Gates, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Frederic, Lord Leighton British, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card
Samson Carrying the Gates, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1881
The Spies Escape, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Frederic, Lord Leighton British, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card
The Spies Escape, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1865–81
Samson at the Mill, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery", Frederic, Lord Leighton British, Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card
Samson at the Mill, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Multiple artists/makers
1865–81

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