Description:

Lord Frederic Leighton (British, 1830-1896) , "The Sluggard", 1896-1900, patinated bronze, signed Fred Leighton, entitled "THE SLUGGARD", and inscribed "Published by Arthur Leslie Collie/39B Old Bond Street/May 1st 1890", and "Founded by J.W. Singer & Sons/FROME SOMERSET, h. 20 3/8 in., ebonized wood base, total h. 23 3/4 in Provenance: Whisnant Galleries Collection, New Orleans, LA. Note: Most likely inspired by his model Angelo Colarossi, seen stretching after a sitting, The Sluggard, or the work's original title An Athlete Awakening from Sleep, was almost certainly conceived as a pendant to An Athlete Wrestling with a Python, 1877. The original full-scale work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1886 and was awarded a medal of honor when it was shown at the Paris Exposition Universelle three years later. Acquired from Leighton's studio sale in 1896 by Henry Tate, the full-size bronze is now in the Tate Gallery (inv. N01752) and the original plaster in the Royal Academy of Arts (inv. 03/1765). The present figure's physicality illustrates the influence of the great sculptors of the Italian Renaissance on the artist, yet Leighton was also able to evoke the spirit of the 'new school' having deftly captured a fleeting moment. Scholar Benedict Read suggests the subject can be seen 'as a symbol of the art of sculpture, liberated by Leighton, flexing itself for renewed activity after a long time in the shackles of convention.' As was the custom, the popularity of The Sluggard, made it viable for a foundry to acquire the rights to produce the model under license. The Sluggard was produced in an edition, originally published by Arthur L. Collie in 1890, cast in the Singer Foundry in Frome, Somerset. The foundry inscription to the present bronze therefore identifies it as from this, the earliest, edition. Thereafter the copyright passed from Collie directly to J.W. Singer & Sons sometime in the early decades of the 20th Century - it appears in the Singer trade literature around 1914. Literature: Frederic Leighton: 1830-1896, London, 1996, pp. 202-203, fig. 93. B. Read, 'Leighton as a sculptor: Releasing sculpture from convention,' Apollo, London, February 1996, pp. 65-69.

  • Condition: Condition is NOT stated in the description of the lot. The absence of a condition report does not indicate the lot is free of damage or condition issues. Available Condition Reports will appear as an additional image. Condition Reports and photographs may be requested on items until the Wednesday prior to the auction. Bid accordingly. All sales are final, no returns are accepted on the basis of condition.

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April 17, 2021 11:00 AM CDT
New Orleans, LA, US

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$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $10,000
$2,000,000 $2,999,999 $15,000
$3,000,000 + $20,000