Artwork
The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace (study for a wall painting in the Victoria and Albert Museum)
The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace (study for a wall painting in the Victoria and Albert Museum) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Frederic Leighton. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Arts of Industry as Applied to Peace is a preparatory oil painting by Frederic Leighton, dated to 1870, now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a diverse group in a classical setting, with figures in ancient Greek or Roman attire engaging with various objects—tools and musical instruments—suggesting a thematic focus on the harmony of artistic and industrial pursuits in a peaceful context.
Technique & Style
Executed in muted tones predominantly of brown, beige, and white, the work features a classical architectural backdrop. The composition notable for its dynamic arrangement of figures, with varied orientations and interactions, conveying a sense of communal engagement.
History & Provenance
Created in 1870 as a study for a wall painting intended for the Victoria and Albert Museum, the piece has remained in the museum's collection since its inception.
Context
Reflecting the Victorian era's appreciation for classical ideals and the intersection of arts and industry, the painting aligns with the museum's founding principles of promoting art, design, and industry.
Legacy
As a study piece, its legacy is intertwined with the eventual wall painting in the V&A, influencing the broader narrative of Leighton's work within the context of British Victorian art and the museum's decorative schemes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton,, known as Sir Frederic Leighton between 1878 and 1896, was a British Victorian painter, draughtsman, and sculptor.
Lucia
David: "Oh, that I had wings like a Dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55:6
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Acme and Septimius
The Arts of Industry as Applied to War (cartoon for a wall painting in the Victoria and Albert Museum)
