Processing
Pictography painted in oil on canvas with ‘Picta’ processing. Hand-painted in two layers with Maimeri and Winsor & Newton colours; worked with magnifying glass. Linen fabric. Solid wood frame gilded with gold leaf.
- Option 1: Picture size: 70x70 cm. Framed size: 86x86 cm.
- Option 2: Picture size: 100x100 cm. Framed size: 116x116 cm.
History
The painting depicts a woman sleeping peacefully on a marble bench, while in the background the setting sun is reflected in the sea. She is wearing a white, almost transparent dress, which allows a glimpse of her delicate figure. A slight blush on her cheeks seems to suggest that, even in her sleep, she is aware of who is watching her. At the top right, an oleander branch, a symbol of danger, adds a touch of mystery, hinting at the thin border between sleep and death. Flaming June is undoubtedly Leighton's most famous painting, a work that combines technical perfection and great visual impact. The figure of the woman is inspired by Michelangelo's ‘Night’, a masterpiece that Leighton considered one of the pinnacles of art. He spent a lot of time perfecting every detail of the pose and drapery, striving for absolute naturalness. The use of light is another strong point: the sunset over the sea looks like molten gold, giving the painting an almost magical quality. Samuel Courtauld, the founder of the eponymous institute, called it ‘the most beautiful painting in existence’.
Frederick Leighton, Flaming June (PICTA)