Leighton's Lost Masterpiece Brings Andalusia To Holland Park

ON OUR RADAR | HAPPENINGS | CABANA MAGAZINE

A prodigal return; Frederic Leighton's long lost understated gem, 'Bay of Cadiz, Moonlight' (1866) – hidden from the public eye for over a century – is set to return to Leighton House as part of an upcoming 'Leighton and Landscape: Impressions from Nature' exhibition, opening this November.

BY LUCREZIA LUCAS | HAPPENINGS | 27 SEPTEMBER 2024

Frederic Leighton, View of Maqam al-Arba’in, Mount Qasioun, Damascus. © The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 

Frederic Leighton's life was governed by an ever-present desire to explore the world. His fascination with distant lands – from the Mediterranean to the Middle East – was nurtured from childhood. It mirrored the spirit of discovery and infatuation with the ‘exotic’ that defined Victorian England; an era when cultural exchanges along ancient routes, like the Silk Road, inspired European artists. 

One of Britain's most revered painters and polymaths, Leighton is best known for his grand Neo Classical depictions of Hellenistic figures draped in chitons of white or luminous color – best recognised in his masterpiece, Flaming June (1895). Whether reclined in languid repose, or stood in a heroic stance, his characters are imbued with emotion and exhibit a skilfull mastery in the study of the human form.

Frederic Leighton, Bay of Cádiz, Moonlight (1866), © The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

 

Highlighting the lesser-known aspects of his oeuvre, the upcoming exhibition Leighton and Landscape: Impressions from Nature (opening 16 November 2024) will showcase 60 en plein air paintings, illustrating Leighton's deep love of nature and an evolving desire to capture the fleeting moments of light and atmosphere. The paintings offer intriguing views and unexpected settings of his travels through Capri, Spain, Damascus, Alexandria and Algeria, among other lands, all serving as intimate windows into his memories of time and place.

Especially poignant is the return to Leighton House of the artist's long-lost work, the Bay of Cádiz, Moonlight (1866). Away from the public eye for 120 years, its whereabouts between 1900 and 1926 remain a mystery. Strong evidence suggests that the Bay of Cádiz was part of the founding collection of Leighton House as a museum, making it particularly significant. "[It] was sold at Christie’s in 1996 by an anonymous seller and bought by a private collector, who made it available at auction, again with Christie’s, earlier this year, where the museum was successful in acquiring it", explains Leighton House Curator, Hannah Lund.

Bay of Cádiz will be displayed alongside his other works created in Spain, providing context and enriching our understanding of how Leighton’s vast travels influenced his art and contributed to the creation of his studio-house museum in London's Holland Park.

A master of capturing the effects of light and weather, Leighton skilfully portrayed various conditions and times of day in his landscapes, ranging from the hot Tangier sun to a storm brewing over the Irish Sea. In Bay of Cádiz, the moon hangs low, casting its silver light across the ocean's surface. As night deepens, the heat of the day gives way to a cooling breeze, carrying with it soft conversation from the passers by. This Andalusian scene, depicting the southernmost part of the Spanish mainland, is again a study of light and atmosphere, standing out among Leighton’s landscapes for its portrayal of a nocturnal setting, incorporating figures. Offering a glimpse into the artist’s travels, this piece is a rare example of his more spontaneous and experimental artistry, contrasting the grandeur of his large-scale academic works.

Through this exhibition, visitors will be invited to step into the world of Frederic Lord Leighton; connecting his art with his travels through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, in the most intimate of spaces; his beautiful and historic home. 

Exterior view of Leighton House © Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Dirk Lindner.