– Exhibition: “Leighton and Landscape” at Leighton House. – Focus on 65 oil sketches from Frederic Leighton’s travels. – Highlights spontaneity and immediacy not seen in his major works. – Aims to redefine understanding of Leighton’s artistic range. – Sketches span locations from the Scottish Highlands to the Sahara Desert.
The exhibition “Leighton and Landscape: Impressions from Nature” at Leighton House showcases around 65 of Frederic Leighton’s landscape sketches in oils, revealing a fascinating aspect of the artist’s work that contrasts with his more famous exhibition paintings. These sketches, created during his extensive travels from the Scottish Highlands to the Sahara, demonstrate a spontaneity and immediacy not present in his finished works. Leighton took around 180 sketches throughout his lifetime, reflecting his artistic range and providing insight into his personal life and creative process. The exhibition aims to reshape perceptions of Leighton, highlighting the significance of these lesser-known works, which he cherished and never intended to sell during his lifetime.
Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) was a prominent English painter known for his historical and mythological works, notably winning fame through pieces like “Flaming June.” However, he also created numerous oils in plein air, especially while travelling across Europe and Africa. These landscape sketches are crucial for understanding his artistic practice, revealing his personal motivations and the therapeutic nature of these trips, as well as his experimentation with light and colour in varying environments. The exhibition at Leighton House is part of an effort to recover and showcase these works, which remained relatively unknown even after his passing.
The exhibition at Leighton House is a significant opportunity to view Frederic Leighton’s landscape sketches, shedding light on a less-publicised facet of his oeuvre. These works, steeped in personal reflection and artistic exploration, not only enhance our understanding of the artist but also serve as a testament to his varied creative legacy. By analysing both his exhibition pieces and private sketches, we gain insight into his artistic journey and the emotional undertones behind his travels and creations.
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