Frederic Leighton: Study in Munich

"Study of a Head for Cimabue's Madonna"
by Frederic Leighton

"Frederic Leighton was now in earnest about his profession. He had seen and studied in all the leading galleries of Europe. He had gathered impressions from the greatest of the Old Masters and had felt the influence of many of the moderns, but to no school was he more convincingly drawn that to that of Munich and Frankfort and to no teachers more than to those at the Stadel Institute. 

Edward Johann Steinle was appointed the same year Director of the Stadel Institute. To him the young student went and offered himself unreservedly for instruction. Here Leighton carried on his study of anatomy regularly and with profit. He used to visit the hospitals, where he had the opportunities he required for carrying still farther his mastery of the science with absolute truth. He acquired the rare ability of drawing from recollection with remarkable fidelity every detail of flesh and bone. Under his master he attended the Life School of the Institute, and also was permitted to take copies from Steinle's own models.

The latter part of his stay at Frankfort was entirely occupied in study for what was to be his leap to fame and success - 'Cimabue's Madonna carried in Procession through the Streets of Florence.' Steinle noted sympathetically Leighton's passion as he not infrequently discovered him enlarging heads and other bits of the Florentine story. There was so much spontaneity and talent in these efforts that Steinle wisely determined to let the young man have his bent; but he cautioned him and made corrections and discussed his ideas, suggesting here and there what was likely to produce good effect. By degrees figure was added to figure, group to group, and the invention, if not the composition, of the picture became an accomplished fact. 

At Leighton House is the original design as at first arranged and approved by Steinle. It is in black pencil and Chinese white on brown paper, very carefully and delicately done, with the squaring of the paper and with certain marks said to be Steinle's. Steinle had done wonders for Leighton's style, and no one rejoiced more than the worthy master in the genius of his brilliant pupil."

To be continued

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