Frederic Leighton: The Presentation of "Cimabue"

A detail from "Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna"
by Frederic Leighton

"The year 1855 was marked by a very important event in the career of Frederick Leighton - his first appearance at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. His teacher Steinle had wished Leighton not to exhibit too soon. 'Don't,' he said, 'come before the public until you can do something really well.' And so Leighton regarded the first exhibition of his picture upon those classic walls with keen interest.

The twenty-year-old's first picture to exhibit was a 17-foot-long canvas depicting the story of Cimabue, as described in a book by Vasari. 'In his imaginative reconstruction Cimabue, wearing white and crowned with a laurel wreath, leads his pupil Giotto by the hand. On the far right Dante, leaning against a wall with his back to the viewer, watches the procession. The mounted figure bringing up the rear is probably King Charles of Anjou. Various other artists make up the rest of the crowd carrying the trestle upon which the altarpiece sits.'

Seen by many during its creation in Rome, its fame had preceded it. By unanimous consent the painting was hung in a place of honour. This action of the Committee was approved by critics and by the public at large. Probably never before had a hitherto unnamed man leaped at one bound into the very front rank of exhibitors. The picture created an immense sensation. Nothing at all like it had ever decorated the walls of the Academy.

One of the first who went to view it was Queen Victoria and Prince Consort Albert. She penned in her journal: ‘There was a very big picture, by a young man, called Leighton, his 1st attempt, at the age of 20…It is a beautiful painting quite reminding one of a Paul Veronese, so bright & full of lights. Albert was enchanted with it - so much so that he made me buy it. The young man’s father, said that his future career in life would depend on the success of this picture.’

This recognition of his ability by Royalty was the key which opened every door to Leighton. Compliments and honours were showered upon him, and he was the recipient of much hearty hospitality. He entered fully into all these enthusiasms, delighting in the fame of his work, and contemplating his future with confidence and determination."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Lord Leighton of Stretton, P.R.A." by Edgcumbe Staley and the website of the Royal Collection Trust: https://www.rct.uk/collection/401478/cimabues-madonna-carried-in-procession-0 )