Leighton's Flaming June

Published in conjunction with the exhibition "Leighton's Flaming June," organized by Susan Grace Galassi, and held at the Frick Collection June 9 - September 6, 2015. Includes bibliographical references and index. A masterpiece of British painting, Frederic Leighton's 'Flaming June' from the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico is a response to one of the most famously erotic images of the Renaissance, 'Leda and the Swan' by Michelangelo. Leighton was a proponent of 'art for art's sake' and 'Flaming June' demonstrates his dedication to this 19th century pursuit of beauty shared by most of the radical artists of his generation. Pablo Perez d'Ors's discussion of the painting's fascinating history and interpretation is complemented by Susan Grace Galassi's exploration of the evolution of this celebrated work through its preparatory stages.