Frederic Leighton

At age 17, Leighton met the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and drew his portrait, which remains the only known full-length study of Schopenhauer done from life.¹

During his stay in Paris from 1855 to 1859, Leighton met masters such as Ingres, Delacroix, Corot, and Millet, which influenced his refined academic style.¹

Starting with North Africa in 1857, Leighton traveled extensively to countries including Egypt, Turkey, and Lebanon, which influenced the decorative details in his work.¹

Leighton was an enthusiastic volunteer soldier and commanded the Artists Rifles. James Whistler once quipped that he was the 'Colonel of the Royal Academy... and he paints a little!'¹

His 1877 sculpture, 'Athlete Wrestling with a Python', was considered to inaugurate a renaissance in contemporary British sculpture known as the 'New Sculpture'.¹

Leighton served as the President of the Royal Academy from 1878 until his death in 1896, and was knighted at Windsor Castle in 1878.¹

Leighton was the first painter to be given a peerage, but his hereditary peerage became extinct after only one day when he died the day after its creation.¹