Greek Girls Playing Ball
Frederic Leighton (later Lord Leighton) 1830-1896 was one of the
leading Victorian Classicists, a group of late 19th century artists
inspired by classical art. They painted historical, biblical and
classical subjects and their style tended to be sophisticated and
highly polished.
Greek Girls Playing Ball does not refer to a specific
historical or mythological event. However, the two idealised
figures with their swirling drapery, set against a backdrop of
grand mediterranean architecture would fit well in a scene of some
classical tale.
Leighton spent much of his childhood and adolescence in Europe
and studied drawing in Rome where he would have been exposed to the
work of the great classical and renaissance masters. At his
father's wishes he received a classical education and was also
taught well in anatomy, his father initially hoping that he would
become a doctor. This education served him well in his career as an
artist. Lawrence Alma Tadema was another leading Victorian
Classicist. His painting Audience with Agrippa also
belongs to East Ayrshire Council's collection.
Leighton was knighted in 1878. in January 1896 he was
raised to the peerage as Baron Leighton of Stretton, the first
artist to be honoured in this way. He died next day.
Object no :
RI_DI_0054079
Collection :
Creator :
Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830 - 1896)
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
1140 x 1970mm
Materials :
oil on canvas
Location :
NA
Accession number :
FA/A132
Copyright :
East Ayrshire Council