My Fair Lady displayed at the Russell-Cotes Museum

The exhibition In The Footsteps of Gods & Heroes opens at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum on 20 January 2012 and will run until 11June 2012.

It features Clytie (1896), by Frederic, Lord Leighton, one of Victorian England's leading artists, whose relationship with the model is said to be the inspiration behind George Bernard Shaw’s Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in the play Pygmalion, and its later musical adaptation, My Fair Lady.

Clytie was acquired by Leighton House Museum in 2008. A Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £337,500 helped to purchase the painting and fund a programme of exhibitions, events and activities designed to share this significant painting with the nation. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery is now the fourth venue to showcase Clytie with the assistance of this grant.

Clytie is displayed in the exhibition, In The Footsteps of Gods & Heroes, together with related treasures from the Leighton House Collection, including detailed studies for Clytie, sculpture and a self portrait. The exhibition compares and contrasts the image of Clytie with work by contemporary artist David Brooke. It draws out the similarities between the great houses of Lord Leighton in London’s Holland Park with that of East Cliff Hall, now the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. In The Footsteps of Gods & Heroes will allow the visitor to journey through a landscape of myth and legend that dates from Classical times to the present day.

Clytie was Leighton’s final painting and remained unfinished in his Studio when he died in 1896. It was placed on an easel at the head of his coffin prior to burial and exhibited to commemorate the artist at the Royal Academy summer exhibition the following year. The painting depicts the nymph Clytie, who having been abandoned by her lover the sun god Apollo, spends her days heartbroken watching him ride his chariot across the sky. Ultimately she becomes rooted to the ground and transforms into a sunflower, forever following the sun’s course. Unusually intense and emotive it is thought to reflect Leighton’s own sense of desperation as his vitality and life waned. The paintings unfinished quality allows for a unique insight into Leighton’s working methods.

The model for Clytie, the mythological nymph depicted in the painting, was Leighton’s favourite model and muse Dorothy Dene (born Ada Alice Pullen). Thirty years her senior, Leighton acted as Dorothy’s benefactor and encouraged her to pursue her acting dreams. Leighton’s attempt to mould and refine this beautiful cockney girl is said to be the inspiration behind Shaw’s well-known play.

Heritage Manager for Bournemouth Borough Council, Sue Hayward said:

“We are proud to be part of Clytie’s UK tour; it has enabled us to display this work not only with other work by Frederic, Lord Leighton but with work by local artist David Brooke. The contrast between the two provides a fascinating exhibition”.

David Brook, a local contemporary artist, has executed his own version of Clytie, in celebration of the main subject, and called it - a metamorphosis of Clytie. This vibrant work is included in David Brooks selling show of paintings and drawings which are loosely based on mythology, but filtered, through his own imagination. All of David's colourful and imaginative works will be available to purchase.

The exhibition is open to the public Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am to 5pm. Free Admission. Visitors are encouraged to join the new membership scheme, offering excellent value and the chance to help support and be a part of the future of the historic and internationally-renowned museum. For a full list of the membership benefits and information visit the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum website www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk or telephone 01202 451858.

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Notes:

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum:

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth, UK, is one of the most fascinating and unique museums in the world.

Comprising art galleries and museum, a licensed café, a shop and a children’s area, it is an ideal place for learning, exploring and socialising.

Housed in one of the last Victorian villas in Bournemouth, East Cliff Hall, it was originally designed and lived in by Sir Merton (1835-1921) and Lady (1835-1920) Russell-Cotes, two Victorian collectors and travel enthusiasts.

It is situated on the dramatic cliff top over-looking seven miles of award-winning beaches.

For more information visit www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk

Leighton House Museum:

Leighton House Museum, London, was the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). Built to designs by George Aitchison, it was extended and embellished over a period of 30 years to create a private palace of art.

Located on the edge of Holland Park in Kensington, the house is widely acknowledged as the best example of a late nineteenth century artist's home open to the public in the UK.

For more information visit http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/museums/leightonhousemuseum.aspx

Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7billion across the UK, including just over £893million in London alone. Website: www.hlf.org.uk.

For additional information and images contact:

Melanie Kane

Email: melanie.kane@bournemouth.gov.uk

Direct Dial: 01202 451816