Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A.

Artist's studio sale, Christie, 11 July 1896, probably lot 11 The Bay of Lindos;
Solomon Joseph Solomon and thence by descent to the present owner

STRUCTURE Original canvas. There is a slight stretcher bar mark along the top edge and the surface is dirty. Otherwise, the work is in good overall condition. ULTRAVILOET LIGHT UV light reveals a few spots of retouching to the bottom of the tidal pool and a few tiny flecks of retouching along the bottom and left edges. FRAME Held in a painted wood frame. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5718 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This picture was painted in the autumn of 1867 on the rocky southern slope of the acropolis of Lindos looking down on the bay and the white-washed church dedicated to the saint who brought Christianity to the island in 43ad. The present work was owned by the artist Solomon Joseph Solomon who almost certainly purchased it from Leighton's studio sale in 1896. It was certainly still at Leighton House in 1880 when the interior was photographed and it can be seen in a photograph of the corner of the studio (see Royal Academy exhibition catalogue, Leighton, 1996, fig. 23, p.43 left wall, 2nd row, 2nd from top). Another rocky coastal landscape was sold in these rooms (13 July 2010, lot 32) and Leighton also painted several views of the mountains of Asia Minor from Rhodes a view of the acropolis and another of the town of Lindos.