Frederic Leighton: Royal Academician

"Electra at the Tomb of Agememnon"
by Frederic Leighton

"In 1869 Frederic Leighton was approaching, gradually but convincingly, the summit of his fame. His election as Royal Academician had cheered and gratified him. He felt that now he was free to throw his wholehearted, enthusiastic nature into the grand object of his life - the raising of the artistic taste and skill of his fellow countrymen.

From one point of view the place of honour in his year's work should be accorded to an ecclesiastical subject, because Leighton destined it as his Diploma picture to the Academy. 'Saint Jerome' was a remarkable impassioned composition which gives the lie direct to the upholders of the pretty-story school, who deny to Leighton animation and vigour. Very likely he painted 'Saint Jerome' to shame such ill-conditioned critics, and intended it for the place it now occupies as a proof of his force, both in form and colour. For all the world St. Jerome is Leighton himself, pleading with the whole energy of his ardent nature for a truer appreciation of Art on the part of the British public. 

Three superb pictures, with that of 'The Syracusan Bride,' made Leighton's election as Royal Academician a certainty: 'Electra at the Tomb of Agamemnon,' 'Helios and Rhodes,' and 'Daedalus and Icarus.'  No Associate had ever, in the whole history of the institution, achieved such a magnificent output. Leighton created a record which has not been touched since his time, and probably will never be beaten."

To be continued

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