The Wedding Register 1920

Edmund Blair Leighton made this scene of matrimony at an unknown date with oil paints. I imagine Leighton carefully building up each layer, taking his time to ensure every detail was meticulously rendered, like the delicate lace of the bride’s veil. Looking at her face, I feel for the bride, so demure as she signs her name. Is she having second thoughts, or just overwhelmed by the occasion? And what about the groom? He looks kind of shifty, or maybe just awkward in that frilly shirt! Leighton has used muted tones, soft lighting, to capture the solemnity of the moment. The faces are full of so much emotion, there's a story in each one. The way Leighton captures the moment of signing the register reminds me of the Pre-Raphaelites, with their focus on storytelling and emotional intensity. Artists have always been fascinated by love, marriage, and all the messy, beautiful, complicated emotions that come with it. It's a conversation that continues to inspire and challenge us.