Frederic Leighton: Egypt

"A Nile Woman"
by Frederic Leighton

"Only one very small contribution found its way from Frederic Leighton to the Royal Academy in 1870 This may be accounted for by the fact that in 1869 he had rearranged his studio, adding considerably to its length to admit large canvases.

'A Nile Woman' is the figure of a girl balancing an empty pitcher upon her head. The moon is rising and the figure is silhouetted with fine effect. It is a simple, truthful study, and happily it passed into the possession of the gracious lady who afterwards became Queen Alexandra - a warm admirer of Leighton.

And it was in 1869 that Leighton had traveled both to Greece and Egypt. Queen Victoria had notified the ruler of that country [the Khedive], who received him with almost royal honours, and placed his own Nile yacht at his disposal and mounted a guard of honour at his hotel. When asked what his wishes were, he replied, 'Yes! I desire to go up the river, but I want certainly one whole day in Cairo to go about where I like.' I shall be ready,' he added, 'to start at two o'clock the day after tomorrow, if it is not too hot.' 

Leighton was prompt and punctual. The captain conducted him over the vessel, explaining every detail. Leighton was manifestly uneasy at this waste of time, but when he was invited to a 'Punch,' and everything appeared to be given over to the relaxation of the hour, he inquired why they had not started.

'I said two o'clock, didn't I? Do you keep all the Khedive's guests waiting in this way?' The captain's replay touched Leighton' sense of humour. 'No, sir, they usually keep us waiting. We had not expected you quite so soon. Someimtes we have to wait four or five weeks!'

This Nile trip greatly rejoiced Leighton, and many 'bits' culled on the way may be detected in his subsequent compositions. He also made many purchases of curios, draperies, and other things."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A." by Edgcumbe Staley.)