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| Leighton House — The Arabian Court
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Later, he became immensely popular for his English translation of the Arabian
Nights. Leighton painted Burton's portrait in 1872.
Leighton House served as a place for the resident artist to display his
art, entertain patrons and colleagues, and to show as an emblem of professional
success. Each room, save for Leighton's spartan bedroom, functioned as a
space for public entertainment. In an age before recorded sound, Leighton
welcomed notable musicians of his day, such as Clara Schumann, who performed
for Leighton's distinguished guests, which included the Prince of Wales,
Prime Minister Gladstone, and author George Elliot.
The fact that his fellow artists held him in the highest regard was demonstrated
when Leighton was elected the twelfth President of the Royal Academy in
1878. With his reputation for charm and skill in smoothing easily-ruffled
feathers, Leighton was credited with nearly annihilating cliques within
the Academy. To counter the challenge represented by the Grosvenor Gallery
and New Gallery, Leighton persuaded artists to send their latest and best
works to the Royal Academy, and successfully urged important artists such
as Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898) and George Frederic Watts to consent to
being elected members.
Leighton's commissions for public art projects, such as the frescos in what
is now the Victoria and Albert Museum, made him a kind of official artist
to the Victorian state. Not only was he created Baron in 1886 on the basis
of his accomplishments, but also, in the last year of his life, he was elevated
to the peerage as Frederic, Lord Leighton, Baron of Stretton at Shropshire,
the first and only artist accorded such a high honour.
On 25 January 1896, Leighton succumbed to sudden illness. As a demonstration
of the high esteem the English nation felt for him, following a state funeral,
his remains were interred in St. Paul's Cathedral. In its commemorative
enthusiasm, the nation commissioned the sculptor Sir Thomas Brock to create
a life-size bronze effigy of Leighton for the north aisle of the cathedral.
An outcry arose immediately after Leighton's death to preserve his home
and studio, and his heirs offered to sell the house to the nation. A private
committee formed to raise funds, and the house opened to the public. However,
to meet the obligations set forth in Leighton's will, his heirs auctioned
off the entire contents of Leighton House. Most of Leighton's drawings were
purchased by a fund established by members of the Royal Academy, prominent
citizens, and the Prince of Wales.
In the 1920s the Borough of Kensington took possession of Leighton House
for use as its general cultural centre where the artist's studio served
as a concert hall. Galleries designed by Halsey Ricardo were added through
the gift of Mrs. Henry Perrin in 1928. Public fascination with the Arabian
Court played a substantial role in saving the house from demolition.
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