Self Portrait , 1880
Oil on canvas 25" x 30"

Leighton left Rome for London, where he submitted his Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna Carried in Procession through the Streets of Florence, to the Royal Academy of Art in 1855. The painting created a sensation, and so enchanted Prince Albert that it was purchased by Queen Victoria who commented, "It is a beautiful painting quite reminding one of a Paul Veronese, so bright and full of lights." Leighton encountered the antipathy of a clique of older Royal Academicians. Nevertheless, he clearly regarded the Royal Academy as an important venue for the display of his best work, and continued to submit paintings until he was made an Associate in 1864. From then on he actively participated in the Academy's operations.

By 1868, when he became a full Academician, Leighton decided to live permanently in London. With the architect George Aitchison, he planned a unique studio/house. Leighton leased land from the estate of Lord Holland, patron of artist George Frederic Watts and host to a glittering court of artists and celebrities. The design which Leighton and Aitchison worked out substantiates the assertion that Leighton House was, according to author Louise Campbell, "As notable a creation in Art as any of Leighton's pictures or statues."

Leighton House blends in with its neighbours. One enters by the front door into an unassuming study, which opens to a staircase lined with blue De Morgan tiles. Beyond the staircase may be found a tastefully decorated dining room and a drawing room. Ebonized wood accented with small gilded sunbursts frame the doors. The feature which dazzles awaits on the first floor, where beyond a hall to the left of the staircase is the exotic "Arabian Court."

William Gaunt, author of the 1952 novel, Victorian Olympus, described the experience of entering Leighton House: "From Kensington you were whisked into the atmosphere of the Thousand and One Nights. Visitors, overwhelmed by the first impression, declared that they would not have been surprised to see bevies of Oriental beauties reclining on piles of silk cushions in the alcoves, troops of nautch girls swinging to the weird music musicians, an Aladdin entering with his precious stones...There was a great gilt when the sun shone, sparkled with broken hues."

Over the entrance to the Arabian frieze containing Koranic verses taken temple at Sind. Tiled panels from Persia framed with patterned border mosaics Crane. Aitchison reported that Leighton his tile collection during annual trips lasted several months to such places Damascus, Constan-tinople, Rhodes Leighton also acquired tiles for his house the knowledge and contacts of the great the Orient, lecturer, and author, Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890). Leighton first Vichy in 1869, and the two became fast friends. Burton was famous for his 1855 account of his journey incognito to Mecca, which was barred to foreigners. He also gained renown for his controversial expedition that discovered the source of the Nile.
 

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