Frederic, Lord Leighton, P.R.A., R.W.S

Phillips, London, 21 November 1988, lot 79
Sotheby's, London, 30 January 1991, lot 301
Christie's, London, 29 October 1991, lot 6
Christie's, London, 9 June 1995, lot 262
Julian Hartnoll, London where purchased by the present owner in June 2001

Although the subject was previously unidentified, Philippa Martin observed that the drawing directly relates to Leighton's design for the Royal Academy Jubilee Address that was produced in 1887. The left-hand figure in the drawing appears to the left of the finished composition, whilst the two studies of the other figure appear directly behind the left-hand figure within the finished composition. Two small sketches at the bottom of the sheet show how this portion of the composition was to be resolved in the final design. A copy of Leighton's completed design is in the Royal Collection, Windsor, and further studies can be found in the collection of The National Gallery of Ireland and in the collection of the Bewdley Museum, Worcestershire. A tracing of the finished composition is in the collection of Leighton House Museum. The pose of the centre/right-hand figure in the drawing may have inspired the pose for The Last Watch of Hero (Manchester Art Gallery), which Leighton was working on at around the same time.