The Music Lesson

Leighton was born in Scarborough, the son of a doctor. He studied painting throughout Europe, most notably in Rome, Florence, and Frankfurt, and rose to become one of the most influential artists of his day. In 1859, Leighton settled in London but continued to travel on the continent and in the East. Over time he moved away from the restrictions of his pared-down earlier style, and from the 1860s his work took on greater sensuousness with richer colours and breadth of design.

The architecture depicted in The Music Lesson is based on studies Leighton completed during his 1873 journey to Damascus. The costumes worn by the women were most likely made of luxe; lustrous fabrics purchased by the art...