Artwork

Half-size monochrome cartoon for the spirit fresco 'The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace'

Half-size monochrome cartoon for the spirit fresco 'The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace' is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Frederic, Lord Leighton. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting is a preparatory work for a fresco titled 'The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace', created by Frederic Leighton for the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a seated woman holding a brush and palette, wearing a flowing robe. She is shown in a plain background, emphasizing her figure. The subject is likely an allegorical representation related to the arts.

Technique & Style

The work is a monochrome cartoon, used to establish areas of light, shade, and volume for the larger fresco. It is part of a multi-stage process involving sketches, smaller canvases, and student assistants to transfer the design onto the wall.

History & Provenance

Commissioned for the South Court of the South Kensington Museum, now the V&A, the fresco was part of a larger project to promote the 'industrial arts'. The museum retains related works, including smaller colour oil sketches.