Study For Clytie 

Frederic Leighton made this study for Clytie with chalk on toned paper. The figure’s arched back and outstretched arms create a powerful diagonal that pulls the viewer’s eye upwards, evoking a sense of yearning. Leighton masterfully uses line and shadow to sculpt the figure, emphasizing the tension in her pose. The brown paper acts as a warm ground, allowing the white chalk highlights to pop and define the contours of Clytie’s body. This limited palette enhances the drawing’s focus on form and structure. Considered through the lens of semiotics, the upward reach and the supplicant kneeling position may signify the story of Clytie who was a water nymph that pined for the sun god Helios. Leighton's formal choices underscore themes of desire and transformation. The drawing transcends mere representation, inviting us to contemplate the complex interplay of form, narrative, and emotion.