The Art of Lord Leighton

This volume embodies the essential critical overview of the works of Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-96): one of the most strongly praised and prominent artists in Victorian public life, with a fascinating personality behind his memorable career as an artist. His intricate figurative paintings - for which he has been immortalized in art history - reveal a subtly innovative and quietly absorbing combination of influences from a diversity of both ancient and classical sculpture, and painting. The author of this tome focuses not solely on the actual paintings - deconstructing in detail their almost architectural and cinematic conceptions - but furthermore explains their context and their interesting reception by the Victorian public. The content of this book is punctuated by numerous illustrations of Lord Leighton's paintings and sculptures, as well as a selection of rare and relevant photographs. Overall, this is the definitive monograph to Frederic, Lord Leighton - the artist, the public figure and the private person - comprising an insightful coverage of his career, and combining intellectual rigour in its content with aesthetic harmony in its presentation.