Lord Frederick Leighton Prints
– Popular Once Again
Lord Frederick Leighton prints have become quite popular in recent years. “Flaming June” is one of the best loved of the Lord Leighton works, it pictures a young woman asleep draped in a gossamer gown of flaming sunset shades, with an oleander branch dangling above, symbolizing the connection between sleep and death.
Much of Lord Leighton’s painting and sculpture drew their inspiration from classical Greek and Roman mythology. Lord Frederic Leighton was born in 1830 in Scarborough and joined a wealthy and cosmopolitan family that was more at home in Europe than in Britain. Lord Leighton’s ancestors were court doctors to the Russian czars, and he was educated on the continent. Unlike most of his contemporaries in Britain, he did not study at the Royal Academy, but learned his art in Brussels, Frankfurt, and Paris. Some of Lord Leighton’s most formative years were spent in Rome, and he did not return to London until 1855. By 1860 he was the talk of the town, and by 1878 he was president of the Royal Academy. He was awarded a peerage in 1896 and became Baron Leighton of Stratton. Sadly, Lord Leighton died the day after his patent was issued, and since he had no children, his Barony existed for only one day. After his death, Lord Leighton’s work soon fell out of favour and was in fact an object of derision at times. However, there was an upswing of interest in his work and that of his contemporaries in the 1960s, and he has remained a popular figure ever since. The Leighton House Museum (pictured) is located at 12 Holland Park Road in the house where Lord Leighton lived. It is an ornate Victorian gem, full of mosaics, fountains, and marble. The centrepiece of the house is the Arab Hall which was built to house Leighton’s massive collection of tiles. Sadly, much of the contents of the home were sold after Leighton’s death, but many of his works can be seen at the museum. Lord Frederick Leighton prints may be the best way for most people to get to see his masterpieces.
Leighton House Museum Address: 12 Holland Park Road, Holland Park, London W14 8LZ Telephone: 020 7602 3316 Opening Times Daily 10am-5.30pm, Friday until 10pm. Closed Tuesdays. Prices £5 (Adult), £1 (Concessions).
Photo courtesy: tpholland
Return from Lord Frederick Leighton Prints to Famous London Residents
Return from Lord Frederick Leighton Prints to Best London Attractions
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