Study of two standing draped female figures
Frederic, Lord Leighton, PRA RWS 1830-1896
Black and white chalks on brown paper
10 7/8 x 8 1/2 inches, 27.6 x 21.6 cm
In this study for the the decorative frieze The Dance, the older girl in the foreground stands with her right arm across the shoulder of a young girl and corresponds to the group of figures the left hand side of the finished work. This drawing, like the preceding and following, "reveal Leighton's concern to make detailed studies for all the figures in his compositions. These drapery studies would be preceded by nude studies, explaining why the heads and arms in the present works are merely indicated" (Hilary Morgan).