Flaming June by Frederic Leighton

#Art#Frederic Leighton#painting

Frederic Leighton fared as an underestimated salon painter up till 1895. Then he painted this masterpiece - Flaming June. It sings to us with radiant color and elemental symbols. Many see this painting as simple. It's a beautiful woman in a glorious dress. They're not wrong. But as with most masterpieces, there are levels of meaning at work.

The initial pulse check on this painting delivers heat. It's titled Flaming June. Orange bursts through the canvas at us as cascading fire at first. The gown's flames ripple like an out of control blaze. This lovely woman seems to sleep inside an inferno. Surrounding details balance this piece, though. It's not only about fire. Leighton frames June with earth, sea, and air elements to harmonize the painting.