Frederic Leighton’s Arab Hall (Livestream)

Frederic Leighton (1830-96) was celebrated as one of the most successful artists of his day. The house he built in Holland Park was his home, his studio, and his passion. He lavished money and attention on it throughout his life, but the centrepiece was the Arab Hall. In the 10 years before he was appointed president of the Royal Academy, Leighton made trips to several countries in the southern Mediterranean, exploring the architectural and design traditions of Granada, Istanbul, Cairo, Damascus and Palermo, and buying a variety of architectural elements with which to create this spectacular space with its golden dome, tiled walls and marble fountain. 

Many books have been written on Frederic Leighton, but art historian and lecturer Melanie Gibson is the first to research his activities as a traveller and collector of Islamic art, and how he and his collaborators George Aitchison, William De Morgan, Walter Crane and others, went about making what has been called ‘the most beautiful room in London’. 

This talk will be held on Zoom and all ticketholders will receive a link to view the morning of the event. It will also be recorded for those not able to join.