Frederic Lord Leighton: Flaming June, 1895

Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) was an English painter and sculptor, his works depicted historical, biblical and classical subjects. He received his artistic training in Europe studying under Eduard von Steinle and Giovanni Costa, and later at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence. From 1855 he lived in Paris, and in 1860 moved to London, where he was associated with the Pre-Raphaelites. He became an associate of the Royal Academy and later, in 1878 he was elected it's President.

Flaming June is considered Leighton's masterpiece, showing his classicist nature. The woman portrayed alludes to the figures of sleeping nymphs and naiads the Greeks often sculpted, and it is thought that the model was either Dorothy Dene or Mary Lloyd, who were depicted in paintings by various Pre-Raphaelite artists. The toxic oleander branch in the top right symbolizes the fragile link between sleep and death.

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HC-654: card size 6" x 6" (150mm x 150mm)