Oil sketch and preparatory drawings for Cimabue’s Celebrated Madonna is carried in Procession through the Streets of Florence (1853-3) by Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896) Titled ‘Cimabue’s Celebrated Madonna is Carried in Procession through the Streets of Florence’, Leighton’s debut exhibit on show at the Royal Academy in 1855 brought him instant celebrity. The painting was bought by Queen Victoria for Prince Albert, who was apparently enchanted by the work. She described in her journal ‘a very big picture … so bright and full of light’. On its arrival at Buckingham Palace the painting was hung in the Music Room, adjacent to the Picture Gallery but can now be seen on loan at the National Gallery. A large number of beautiful preparatory drawings for the painting and an exquisite colour sketch on canvas are all held in the Leighton House collection.
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