|
Leighton House provides unique insights into the world of Victorian art and architecture. Now beautifully restored, it is located in London's charming Holland Park area not far from Kensington Gardens.
Lord Frederic Leighton was the most eminent artist of Victorian Britain. His works were eagerly sought by the top circles of Victorian society including royalty. He was respected by and friends with the prominent artists of the day. Indeed, his fellow artists elected him President of the Royal Academy of Arts. Leighton was not born into the aristocracy. Rather, he came from a prosperous upper middle-class family. His grandfather was a doctor to two Russian czars and made a fortune in the process. Although he was born in Scarbourgh in Yorkshire, much of Leighton's youth was spent in continental Europe. He traveled widely, living for a time in Italy and Paris. He studeied at the Academica di Belle Arti in Florence and during his travels, met intellectuals and artists including Ingres, Delacroix and Millet. Settling in London in 1860, Leighton quickly achieved success. By 1864, he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy and its president in 1878. He was knighted in 1878, made a baronet in 1886, and shortly before he died in 1896, he was made a peer of the realm - - the first artist to be so honored. While he was the darling of the establishment, he also associated with more revolutionary artists such as the Pre-Raphaelites. He also designed Elizabeth Barret Browning's tomb in Florence, Italy. Leighton strove to keep his private life separate from his public life. There are rumors that he had an illegitimate child with one of his models and there are rumors that he was homosexual. However, inasmuch as he did not keep diaries and his correspondence lacks references to his private life, the rumors remain unsubstantiated. During his lifetime, Leighton's work was quite popular. However, in the early 20th century, academic art such as Leighton's went out of fashion and for many years was an object of ridicule by the art establishment. It is only in recent years that academic art has begun to regain the respect of artists and the art establishment. Coinciding with the rebirth of interest in Victorian artists, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea undertook a major refurbishment of Leighton's house, which had been languishing for many years. Using historical accounts and photographs the house was brought back to Leighton's day. Items from his collections that had been dispersed after his death were returned. The house and the grounds are now deservedly a popular attraction. Leighton obtained a lease on the land on which the house stands in the 1860s. Together with architect George Aitchison, Leighton designed the house and a series of enlargements over the next 30 years. (During that time, several other artists took up residence in the neighborhood forming “The Holland Park Circle”). The house was not just a residence. It was the location of his studio and a place to house the collections of treasures including tiles, pottery and textiles that Leighton had acquired during his travels in Africa and the Middle East. Its walls displayed not only Leighton's work but paintings that he had purchased or which had been given to him by other famous artists. Inasmuch as the house served as a place of business where customers would come to sit for portraits or to commission a painting, the collections were arranged so as to impress the visitor. Leighton's studio on the first floor is a huge room with a stage at one end. It looks less like a working artist's studio than a concert hall and indeed, it was during Leighton's lifetime and still is used for musical recitals. Adjoining the main studio is the Winter Studio, an area enclosed in glass so as to allow more natural light, it looks much more like a working studio. Throughout the house are numerous works by Leighton including finished works, drawings and a preliminary version of Leighton's famous “Flaming June.” There are also works by other artists including John Everett Milias, James Shannon and Frederic Watts. In addition to the house, the museum includes exhibition space for temporary exhibitions. There is also a learning center, a shop and cafe as well as a large garden in back of the house. For more information on visiting, see the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website. |
Above: The Arab Hall was inspired by the 12th-century palace of La Zisa in Palermo, Sicily. It includes tiles acquired by Leighton in Africa and the Middle East as well as gifts from friends such as the explore Richard Burton.
Above: Leighton's main studio, which could also be used for musical recitals.
Below: The more intimate Winter Studio, which also provided more natural light. 
|
|
|
|
Places to see art - - London, England - - Leighton House