Studies in pencil of four hands for "Cimabue's Madonna carried in procession through the streets of Florence"

1853

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century Religious

Dominant colour

Studies in pencil of four hands for "Cimabue's Madonna carried in procession through the streets of Florence" is a 1853 by Frederic, Lord Leighton, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Frederic, Lord Leighton
When & what style?: 1853 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This page shows three quick sketches. The top left is a loose, flowing figure study—maybe a person in motion, with flowing fabric. The top right is a serious portrait sketch of a man in a coat, his hand resting on his chest. The bottom is three small, detailed hand studies, each drawn with light pencil lines. The hand sketches were practice for a painting about a religious scene in Florence. The artist focused on how hands move naturally, not stiffly. Next, check out Victoria and Albert Museum to see the full drawing.

The story of this work

Overview

Pencil studies by Frederic, Lord Leighton depict four hands intended for the painting *Cimabue's Madonna carried in procession through the streets of Florence*. The drawings focus on the positioning and form of hands, likely to refine gestures within the larger composition.

Read the full account in the museum source.