Preliminary Studies for Portrait of William Makepeace Thackeray c. 1855

Here are Frederic Leighton’s preliminary pencil studies for a portrait of William Makepeace Thackeray. Thackeray, a towering figure in Victorian literature, known for his satirical observations of British society, here finds himself the object of scrutiny. Leighton, who would later become president of the Royal Academy, occupied a unique position in British art. These sketches offer a glimpse into the artist's process, capturing the delicate negotiation between artist and sitter, power and representation. One can almost feel Leighton grappling with the challenge of capturing Thackeray’s complex persona, not merely his physical likeness, but his social position, his intellectual heft, and perhaps even his vulnerabilities. These studies, incomplete as they are, allow us to reflect on how identities are curated, constructed, and perceived. In what ways does this work reflect the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, and how does it reflect the cultural values of Victorian England?