Frederic Leighton. Drawing in graphite on off-white paper, 1878; 151/16 x 915/16 inches (38.3 x 25.2 cm) – sheet size. Collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, accession no. 1944.404.
This drawing shows a bearded Leighton in profile to the left with his hooked nose and wavy hair. The drawing was the basis for Legros’s subsequent portrait etching of Leighton of 1878. The preliminary drawing, like Legros's similar drawing of Edward Poynter, surpasses the etching in the quality of its treatment of the subject. The drawing and print would have been made around the time that Leighton was elected President of the Royal Academy in 1878.
Leighton was one of the first artists to befriend Legros when he moved to London in 1863 and he continued to support him throughout his career. Leighton hung drawings and paintings by Legros on the walls of his house at 12 Holland Park Road in Holland Park and encouraged his patrons to buy Legros’s work.
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Last modified 26 November 2022