
Frederic, Lord LeightonBritish, 1830–1896May one see it?
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
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.
1855
Years in Paris: Ingres, Delacroix, Corot, Millet
In 1855 Leighton visited the Exposition Universelle in Paris and, with interruptions, lived there for the next three years (by other accounts until 1859), perfecting his craft. In Paris he met Ingres, Delacroix, Corot and Millet.