Portrait of Professor Giovanni Costa

Lord Frederic Leighton (1830 - 1896)

Leighton House Museum

1878

Half length portrait of the Italian artist Giovanni Costa (1826 - 1903). Costa was the central figure in the so-called Etruscan School of landscape painting, the principal of which was the expression of poetry and emotion. Leighton met the painter in 1853 and they developed a deep, mutual respect and friendship. Leighton did much to promote Costa's work in England. The portrait is bold and dramatic and reflects the initmacy of the relationship between the two men.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 48.5 x 39cm
• Art Fund Grant: £17000 ( Total: £37,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2004
• Vendor: Through Nevill Keating Pictures Ltd

Provenance

Professor Giovanni Costa; then by descent; Christie's, 1997; private collector.

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