Leighton, Frederic (1830-1896), was an English painter and sculptor in the Classical style that was inspired by the art of ancient Greece. Among his most famous paintings is Cimabue’s Madonna Carried Through the Streets of Florence (1855). Queen Victoria bought the painting, assuring Leighton’s reputation as a leading English artist. Leighton began painting in the Classical style in the 1860’s. Typical examples include Syracusan Bride (1865-1866) and Captive Andromache (1888). His Classical sculptures emphasized idealized nudes, as in Athlete Wrestling with a Python (1877). He also painted portraits and illustrated books.
Leighton was born on Dec. 3, 1830, in Scarborough, England. He was educated in Italy and studied art in various art centers in Europe. He became president of the Royal Academy in London in 1878 and was knighted the same year. He was made a baron the day before he died on Jan. 25, 1896. His luxurious house and studio in London became a Leighton museum.
