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Candida
Frederic Lord Leighton, P. R. A. (1830-1896)
1895
Oil on canvas
83.2 cm x 61.6 cm
Installation shot from the exhibition, "Flaming June: The Making of an Icon" (4 November 2016 - 2 April 2017), at the Leighton House museum
Photo: Kevin Moran [Click on the image to enlarge it.]
Contemporaneous with Leighton's more famous Flaming June, this work shows a woman in a skimpier dress of the same flimsy material, in a similarly flaming shade of gold. Her hair is gathered up to show off her long neck with its creamy, indeed buttery skin. She is not looking out at us but seems aware of being observed. It is less striking than Flaming June, but very pleasing. The painting fetched 440 guineas when sold after Leighton's death ("The Leighton Sale"). — Jacqueline Banerjee. [Mouse over the text for links.]