Collection: Frederic Leighton

Frederic Leighton (1830–1896) was a British painter, draughtsman, and sculptor, born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. He worked in an academic style, depicting historical, biblical, and classical subject matter. Leighton served as President of the Royal Academy from 1878. He is considered a leading representative of academic classicism in England.

Leighton's artistic singularity lay in his refined academic approach to mythological and historical narratives. His compositions often featured saturated and expressive colors alongside delicate shades. He captured a Victorian nostalgia and longing for the "golden age" of ancient Greece and Rome, distinguishing his work within the period's artistic landscape.

During his lifetime, Leighton's paintings were popular and commanded high prices. However, his work fell out of critical favor for many decades in the early 20th century. He received a hereditary peerage as Baron Leighton the day before his death, making it the shortest-lived peerage in history.