THE MUSIC LESSON

Lord Frederic Leighton (1830-96)

He produced a number of Orientalist pictures, which was a popular theme (Orientalism) in nineteenth
century European art. His works are based on his extensive travels in the Arab world Leighton was one
of a select band who toured the area in person. In spite of his thorough knowledge of the Middle East,
Leighton did not attempt to make his Orientalist scenes authentic. Instead, he described them as “fatal,
inevitable potboilers”.

In The Music Lesson, the enclosed setting and the girls’ bare feet were meant to hint at a harem subject,
which always sold well. The rich costumes were part of a collection that Leighton had purchased during
a trip to Damascus in 1873. The two models featured were European. The younger is Connie Gilchrist,
who famously sat for Whistler and was photographed by Lewis Carroll.