Dr Septimus Leighton (the artist's father)
This rather stern portrait of Leighton’s father was painted by the artist when he was nineteen and living with his family in Frankfurt. Leighton’s father was a physician and had hoped that his only son would follow in his footsteps, but begrudgingly allowed him to train as an artist. Significantly Leighton's father supplied his son with an allowance throughout his life which supplemented his income and reduced the financial pressure on his artwork. Frederic Septimus Leighton died aged 92, only four years before Leighton himself.
c.1855
Oil on canvas
97.0 x 84.0cm
LH0371
Image and text © The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, 2020
Where you'll find this
Leighton House
Permanent collection