Study for the Ceiling of the Marquand Music Room
The Met
Artist: Frederic, Lord Leighton(British, Scarborough 1830–1896 London)
Date: ca. 1886
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil and gold on canvas
Dimensions: Central canvas 12 x 17 in. (30.5 x 43.2 cm); side canvases each, 12 x 7 in. (30.5 x 17.8 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of James David Draper, from the Robert Isaacson Collection, 2019
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Three gold-toned panels show draped figures, winged beings, a lyre, and a snake-entwined staff.
Detailed Description
The artwork is a triptych-like composition, set within a dark wooden frame, and features three distinct panels. The central panel is wider than the two side panels. Each panel has a gold background and is bordered by a decorative band with a leafy wreath pattern at the top and a wave pattern at the bottom. The dark wooden frame itself is adorned with small, gold, star-like embellishments at the corners and along the top and bottom edges. The left panel shows a standing female figure draped in light, flowing, peach-colored fabric. Her arms are raised, with her hands near her head, possibly holding a garland. At her feet, a smaller, nude figure, possibly a child, bends over a dark vessel. The central panel features three main standing figures and two smaller winged figures. On the left, a figure draped in dark teal stands, looking towards the right, holding what appears to be a scroll or tablet. In the center, a figure draped in dark brown is seated, looking downwards, holding a lyre or similar stringed instrument. This central figure wears a wreath on their head. On the right, a figure draped in red stands, looking towards the left. Above the seated central figure, two winged beings with light blue and gold wings float. Flanking the seated figure are two decorative pedestals; the left one has a snake coiled around a staff, and the right one supports a small plant. The right panel displays a standing female figure in light brown and gold drapery. Her arms are raised, holding a shallow bowl or plate above her head. A smaller, nude figure, possibly a child, stands at her feet, looking up at her, and appears to hold a bow or staff.
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