Drawing

November 1852

His first journey on his own, to Rome

To immerse himself in the art of the great Italian painters, in 1852 Leighton made his first journey on his own and by November was in Rome, where the opera singer Adelaide Sartoris introduced him to society. In her salon he met William Thackeray and became close friends with the Brownings, as well as with Jean-Léon Gérôme and William Bouguereau.

1855

Queen Victoria buys “Cimabue’s Madonna”

In 1855 Leighton finished “Cimabue’s Madonna” and sent it to London for the Royal Academy exhibition. The picture was a success, Queen Victoria bought it for 600 guineas, and the artist became the talk of England’s aristocratic circles.

1857

A trip to Algeria starts his passion for the East

In 1857 Leighton made his first trip outside Europe, to Algeria. The journey started his fascination with Eastern culture, whose motifs he would often use in his paintings; later he visited Syria, Egypt and Turkey.

1859

London: the Prince of Wales buys his picture

By 1859 Leighton was in London (by other accounts he moved there in 1860), where he associated with the Pre-Raphaelites. That same year the Prince of Wales bought one of his pictures and became the artist’s patron and loyal friend.

1878

Knighted at Windsor Castle

In 1878, the year he was elected President of the Royal Academy, Leighton was knighted at Windsor Castle and made an Officer of the Légion d’honneur; from then on he was known as Sir Frederic Leighton.

25 January 1896

Died