Study for 'Perseus and Andromeda', ca. 1891

Lord Leighton PRA (1830 - 1896)

RA Collection: Art

On free display in Collection Gallery

A study for the figure of Andromeda in 'Perseus and Andromeda' (ca. 1891, The Walker, Liverpool), in which she is rescued from a sea monster by the Greek hero on his winged horse, Pegasus. Leighton's favourite model, Dorothy Dene, posed for the twisting figure of Andromeda tied to a rock. The figure depicted here is very close in pose to the finished version, except that Leighton eventually elongated the torso, making it more graceful and accentuating the sense of Andromeda's dramatic struggle.

However, the main interest here is not in Andromeda's body but in the drapery which hangs in folds around her hips and legs. This is drawn in detail with parallel lines of black and white chalk, while the body is sketched in lightly. Leighton's expertise in depicting drapery is clear from this study in which he rehearsed the subtle effects of light and shade on the fabric, caused by the contrast in the shadow of the monster's wing and the golden light from the sun shining behind Perseus. See also 03/2444.

There is a faint outline on the verso, possibly of an arm.