Edmund Blair Leighton is best known for his historical and romantic scenes, often with a medieval theme, focusing on the naturalistic portrayal of people in a narrative setting. In some paintings he developed the landscape element further, expanding the depiction of the effects of light and texture in the natural world.

In this example, September, Leighton shows an informal rural cottage garden scene of two women picking fruit. Although the figures first draw the viewer’s attention, the artist has presented a rich array of colours, tones and textures throughout the scene. The painting celebrates both the artist’s skill and the variety and beauty of the natural world that surrounds us in our everyday lives.

Provenance: Laing Art Gallery collection. Bequeathed by John George Joicey, 1919

Object description
Type: Easel Painting
Location: South Shields Museum, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on panel
Artist: Edmund Blair Leighton (1852-1922)
Date: 1915

Image Details
Date: 4 May 2026
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/50s
ISO: 320
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.