Burning Junesurely the most romantic and summery of all famous British paintings, has finally returned home, to the London house where Frederic Leighton first imagined his fiery image almost 130 years ago.
Now, as the temperature rises at the beginning of June, the museum of the artist’s former home is unexpectedly given a smaller, first version of the world-famous work painted by Leighton in 1894.
“Without question, Burning June is the most impactful image Leighton has ever produced,” said the museum’s senior curator, Daniel Robbins. “The strong color was discussed by critics at the time, but they had no idea then that the painting would go on to have such resonance.”
Painted by Leighton Burning June towards the end of his life, and this was one of his last submissions to the Royal Academy’s summer show.
“We always knew that Leighton worked in a systematic, methodical way; do sketches first and then a color study in oil to get the color balance and the harmony of the picture right,” says Robbins. “Then he usually paints the whole canvas with very little deviation. But in this case we see that he later thought better of a small island in the back, and he also changed the shape of the awning above the reclining figure. The small painting certainly conveys the vibrancy and color of the final work. “
The recently restored Leighton House museum is one of the nominees for the 2023 Art Fund Museum of the Year prize, and Robbins and his team are looking to return to Burning June as a fair bit of luck.
“This is the perfect moment. When we plan the new shows, we want to introduce him as a person and show something of his process. Then, out of the blue, the painting’s new owner, Sir David Verey, chairman of the Friends of Leighton House, showed me the inside of a crate. Inside is his new purchase, the only color study for Burning Junethat he wants to give us.
“The works of Leighton’s mature career were all painted in the studio on the first floor of the house. Before his death in 1896, he gave the study of Burning June to his friend, the baritone George Henschel, and it has only had three owners since then.”
The full canvas, completed in 1895 and owned since 1963 by the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico, is now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. When it was loaned to the London museum seven years ago, it proved to be a big draw.
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“People traveled from all over, and many had a poster of it on the wall as a student or sent as a postcard,” Robbins recalled. “It has such a meaning to people and evokes strong memories.”
Verey said: “I’m sure Burning JuneIts presence will attract more and more visitors to Leighton House. It will be on display in the new wing of the building for free from 7 June.
