Three studies for 'Flaming June'

Leighton’s last major painting Flaming June, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1895, is one of the great masterpieces of the 19th Century. Now in the Museo del Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico, it was lost for many years before reappearing on the art market in 1963. Although Leighton said, ‘The design was not a deliberate one, but was suggested by a chance attitude of a weary model who had a peculiarly supple figure,’ the present sheet of studies show Leighton working out the pose, with slight adjustments to the legs between each sketch, suggesting a rather more considered approach. With her rich curly hair and elegant figure, the sitter appears to be his favourite model, Dorothy Dene (see lot 56).

We are grateful to Daniel Robbins for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.