Enjoying retirement
In The Red Rose County
Lots of flooding from the train windows...London however was lush. After meeting Thomas Jonglez my publisher at Leighton House cafe the previous evening we decided to return to look at the house. Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton, PRA (3 December 1830 – 25 January 1896), known as Sir Frederic Leighton between 1878 and 1896, was a British Victorian painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. His works depicted historical, biblical, and classical subject matter in an academic style. His paintings were enormously popular and expensive, during his lifetime, but fell out of critical favour for many decades in the early 20th century. His house is a marvel. But it is one of several built by and lived in by a group of artists called the Holland Park Circle, forming a unique group of studio-houses. G F Watts was the first and then there were 9. All but 3 survive, although Leighton's must be the most spectacular. A space for his work, and for his extensive collections reflecting a huge cultural diversity. Of all the things there were to remember three stood out - the modern staircase in an annexe which stretches from basement to the top of the house, the cafe with its great glass window overlooking the gardens, and the winter stuio on the top floor. But everywhere you are overwhelmed with magnificent architecture, furnishings , paintings and collections. Leighton was born in of all places Scarborough to Augusta Susan and Dr. Frederic Septimus Leighton (1799–1892), a medical doctor. Leighton's grandfather, Sir James Boniface Leighton (1769–1843), had been the primary physician to two Russian tsars—Alexander I and Nicholas I—and their families, and amassed a fortune while in their service. Leighton was never short of money. The famous painting 'Flaming June' (sketch above, original owned by Museo de Arte de Ponce in Ponce, Puerto Rico, although currently at the RA ) perhaps is illustrative of one of his techniques........he painted all his models nude and then clothed them afterwards. Great technique I think. Here a model for his tomb by Brock, and his palette. So well-known had Leighton become by his death that he was laid to rest next to the builder of St Paul's himself. I liked his watercolour of a Venice palazzo. The Arab Hall at Leighton House is for many the centre piece of this unique artist home. Started in 1877 it was not fully completed until 1881. An extension of the original building, it reflects Leighton’s personal fascination with the Middle East which he often visited on his travels. Widely admired by Leighton’s contemporaries, the Arab Hall’s fame and reputation continue to the present day, as a favourite spot for visitors and much sought-after location for photoshoots, films and music videos. His taste falters with his use of Murano surely?! This winter studio was added late on and what an amazing light atmospheric room it is. The house was grand in the usual Victorian manner, full to overflowing.... I responded to the Guide who asked whether we had found our visit interesting by pointing out that it would be easy to have real instead of imitation plants. However I was put in my place by being told they would love to but they were conscious of the evaporation caused by real plants which might affect the prints, furnishings etc. Never assume you know best! I liked the fact that this box on the chair was especially designed for collapsing top hats which became all the vogue. Lunch was at a good Italian on Holland Park Road........ A quick last visit to the nearby Design Museum. Great, but it doesn't seem to have got beyond 2012 which is an enormous pity. This origami piece of clothing was fascinating..... ....and I liked that they emphasised the punched cards of the Jacquard loom, to me the very precursor of the whole Industrial Revolution. Home in the top front seats of a double-decker, always amazing to see the different aspects of London.
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August 2023
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