Frederic Leighton
Frederic Leighton was one of the leading figures of the Aesthetic Movement in British art. Trained in the academic traditions of Germany, Italy, and France, he emphasized beauty, harmony, and refined form as the central aims of painting. His reputation grew steadily, and in 1878 he was elected president of the Royal Academy of Arts; in 1896 he became the first British artist to be granted a peerage.
In 1853, the young Leighton met Adelaide Sartoris, a celebrated hostess whose circle introduced him to London’s artistic and social elite. Around 1860, shortly after settling in London, he painted this well-known portrait of her daughter, Mary Theodosia Sartoris (known as May). Depicted at about 15 years old, she stands in the grounds of the family’s country home in Hampshire. The fallen tree beside her subtly evokes the passage of time and mortality, emphasizing the delicacy of her youthful beauty.
May was a descendant of the famous Kemble family, one of England’s most distinguished theatrical dynasties. A gifted amateur actress and singer herself, she later married Henry Evans Gordon in 1871, and Leighton returned to her likeness in two further portraits painted in the following years.
P.S. Love discovering great paintings? Our Masterpieces 50 Postcards Set gathers 50 works from across centuries of art.
P.P.S. Leighton was one of the most exquisite academic painters. Do you know for which work is he most famous? A work that could be described as "a study of an overwhelming orange drapery"... Here's the answer!
Dear DailyArt users, we are looking for volunteers who would like to help us translate our texts into different languages. If you would like to join our international team and gain valuable experience, please fill out this form!