Rubinella

Unseen at auction for forty years, this half-length is typical of Leighton’s celebration of female beauty. The subject and composition owe much to Rossetti, who in turn was looking at the Venetian Old Masters. Indeed, with her `Titian’ hair, there is much to remind the viewer of Venice in this picture. As with many of Leighton’s titles, the name is invented. Rubinella may derive from Rueben, or red. Red and green are complementary colours, and the green of the sitter’s dress is reminiscent of the green of the Silk Room in Leighton’s studio house, where copies of the Venetian Old Masters were hung around the fireplace.

We are grateful to Richard Ormond for confirming the authenticity of this work, which is noted as an addendum to his catalogue raisonne.