I loved visiting Flaming June recently too. Such a stunning painting.
And many of the other works in that room with her are actually part of the permanent display in the Royal Academy (The Michelangelo Tondo in particular is one of my favourite works in London - I visit it regularly!)
But I actually really like how you picked up on the curation side of things here too, and how these kinds of works would no doubt have influenced Leighton's painting.
Really great stuff. I think you're going to do very well with this newsletter on here!
Flaming June is one of my favorite paintings too, and I got to see it a while ago at the Met! It must have been so interesting to see it in Leighton's studio. I love the background you provide on this wonderful work, and it's so fascinating to learn about the Michelangelo influence on it. Thank you for sharing!
Loved reading this post! I visited Leighton House eat like in the year, shortly before Flaming June was at the Royal Academy. When I went to see the painting I was mesmerised by its beauty and vibrancy. Definitely worth seeing and admiring in person.
I've been having such a rough week, and this invited romance back into my life. Thank you for this, thank you. And now, I must have an orange silk georgette dress!!! If I can't find the right shade, I'll dye it!
Huh. I wonder if the costume designers from Francis Coppolas Dracula took some inspiration from this; one of Lucy's costumes vibes with it coloration-wise, and ofc Lucy is a ginger in that version of the story.
The Royal Academy is always worth a visit and if you haven’t gotten lost its definitely a picture with going to see. It has a certain enchanting quality when you stand in front of it
One of my favorite pictures as well. I actually made a pilgrimage to Ponce to see her and likewise had her to myself. It was stunning, we’re so lucky this painting was rescued and not moldering away in some dark cellar.
I went to see it this weekend. I can admire the skill in its painting and composition but for me it is too idealised to be considered a great piece. Whilst you could argue that all art is more or less voyeuristic I think there is something slightly unsettling about a man in his 60s portraying a sleeping young woman in a translucent dress. It feels like an intrusion into someone's private space. The Joshua Reynolds portrait is superb.
SO glad you went to see it! Reynolds' portrait is an iconic piece, absolutely. He painted it several different times over his career. William Blake didn't like it because he thought the style was too 'Flemish' to deserve a bust of Michelangelo in the back! I'm afraid if you don't like old men painting naked women, the Renaissance and Pre-Raphs maybe aren't for you! Call me a lecherous 60 year old man, I love June ;)
I don't have a problem with the depiction of the nude but in this case I think there is a peeping Tom quality due to the fact the subject is depicted as asleep which gives her no agency of any kind. At least in a painting such as Susannah and the Elders, Susannah is aware of the intrusion into her privacy and has a chance to react to it. I think the depiction of voyeureism in art is an interesting and complex area, as is the power dynamic between painter, sitter and viewer. I've seen the Reynolds' portraits in Kenwood House and the NPG which show him as a young and older man (can't remember which has which) but I love the depictions of himself at different times of his career.
I loved visiting Flaming June recently too. Such a stunning painting.
And many of the other works in that room with her are actually part of the permanent display in the Royal Academy (The Michelangelo Tondo in particular is one of my favourite works in London - I visit it regularly!)
But I actually really like how you picked up on the curation side of things here too, and how these kinds of works would no doubt have influenced Leighton's painting.
Really great stuff. I think you're going to do very well with this newsletter on here!
What a thoughtful comment - really made my day! 💃
I’ll put this on my list to go and see, thanks
An absolute must-see!!
Thank you so much for introducing me to this beautiful painting, it truly does capture the essence of a warm June night <3
Spreading the Leighton gospel <3
Flaming June is one of my favorite paintings too, and I got to see it a while ago at the Met! It must have been so interesting to see it in Leighton's studio. I love the background you provide on this wonderful work, and it's so fascinating to learn about the Michelangelo influence on it. Thank you for sharing!
I so appreciate this comment <3
That is a spectacular painting.
She is sublime!
Loved reading this post! I visited Leighton House eat like in the year, shortly before Flaming June was at the Royal Academy. When I went to see the painting I was mesmerised by its beauty and vibrancy. Definitely worth seeing and admiring in person.
I firmly agree. I love Leighton house, you can book it out for parties if you have the funds!
I've been having such a rough week, and this invited romance back into my life. Thank you for this, thank you. And now, I must have an orange silk georgette dress!!! If I can't find the right shade, I'll dye it!
Or perhaps a cotton voile/silk blend? +1 for reasons to shop! ♥️
That is wonderful! I would LOVE to see a Flaming June cosplay 💃
Huh. I wonder if the costume designers from Francis Coppolas Dracula took some inspiration from this; one of Lucy's costumes vibes with it coloration-wise, and ofc Lucy is a ginger in that version of the story.
Wow! I've never come across it, and I've marked this painting in my must-see pieces list! Thank you for this story about the painting!
The Royal Academy is always worth a visit and if you haven’t gotten lost its definitely a picture with going to see. It has a certain enchanting quality when you stand in front of it
I agree!! 🧑🎨
One of my favorite pictures as well. I actually made a pilgrimage to Ponce to see her and likewise had her to myself. It was stunning, we’re so lucky this painting was rescued and not moldering away in some dark cellar.
So true!! We must be thankful 😌
I went to see it this weekend. I can admire the skill in its painting and composition but for me it is too idealised to be considered a great piece. Whilst you could argue that all art is more or less voyeuristic I think there is something slightly unsettling about a man in his 60s portraying a sleeping young woman in a translucent dress. It feels like an intrusion into someone's private space. The Joshua Reynolds portrait is superb.
SO glad you went to see it! Reynolds' portrait is an iconic piece, absolutely. He painted it several different times over his career. William Blake didn't like it because he thought the style was too 'Flemish' to deserve a bust of Michelangelo in the back! I'm afraid if you don't like old men painting naked women, the Renaissance and Pre-Raphs maybe aren't for you! Call me a lecherous 60 year old man, I love June ;)
I don't have a problem with the depiction of the nude but in this case I think there is a peeping Tom quality due to the fact the subject is depicted as asleep which gives her no agency of any kind. At least in a painting such as Susannah and the Elders, Susannah is aware of the intrusion into her privacy and has a chance to react to it. I think the depiction of voyeureism in art is an interesting and complex area, as is the power dynamic between painter, sitter and viewer. I've seen the Reynolds' portraits in Kenwood House and the NPG which show him as a young and older man (can't remember which has which) but I love the depictions of himself at different times of his career.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joepanzica/p/clever-again?r=f79z7&utm_medium=ios
A young girl who just made a ridiculous mistake and is about to make another one, discovers the Pre-Raphaelites.
Trigger Warnings: bad poetry, stupid sex, class oppression, egregious Beatle references, ghosts, and Eddie Cantor.