edmund blair leighton

Edmund Blair Leighton was a painter of historical genre pictures, mainly of medieval times, but also regency. Rather like Waterhouse, and Herbert Draper, Leighton the man has virtually disappeared. The reasons for the

continuing popularity of the artist’s work are not difficult to understand, as they are similar to those in his

lifetime, namely nostalgia for an elegant chivalrous past. Leighton was also a fastidious craftsman, producing

highly- finished, beautifully painted, decorative pictures. Edmund Blair Leighton was born on the 21st September 1853, the son of the artist Charles Blair Leighton. He was educated at University College School, before becoming

a student at the Royal Academy Schools. Leighton married Katherine Nash in 1885; they had a son and

daughter. He exhibited annually at the RA from 1878 to 1920. Leighton was, as might be expected from his historic genre paintings a collector of old musical

instruments, art, and furniture. He lived at 14 Priory Road, Bedford Park, London, and died on the 1st

September 1922.

Created: Rodica StătescuSource: INTERNET