Frederic Leighton
Frederic Leighton was an English painter and sculptor who lived from 1830 to 1896. He was an Academic artist who was most closely associated with the British Aesthetic movement. The aesthetic artists were mostly inspired by classical and mythological subjects, choosing to paint “art for art’s sake”.
Leighton began studying art at age 12, much to the dismay of his wealthy family, though they supported him throughout it all. After finishing college in London, he moved throughout Europe studying art under the artists, Eduard von Steinle and Giovanni Costa, before attending the art school, Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy.
In 1855, Leighton submitted his first major work, “Cimbaque’s Madonna”, to an exhibition at London’s Royal Academy at just age 26. Prince Albert convinced Queen Victoria to purchase Leighton’s work, which immediately jump started his career. Thereafter, Leighton moved from Paris to London and started spending time with the artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. In 1864, he became a member, then subsequently, in 1878, the president of the well-respected Royal Academy of Art. In 1878, Leighton was also knighted.
Frederic Leighton became Baron Leighton of Stretton in 1896 and was the first painter to be given such honors. Unfortunately, he died the very next day from angina pectoris at just 65 years of age. As he was not married and had no heirs, his title became extinct the day he died, giving him the shortest peerage in history. Leighton was so famous and very well-respected in his time, that he was often compared to Michelangelo. That is the highest compliment!
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