Costa was the central figure in the so-called Etruscan School of landscape painting, the principal of which was the expression of poetry and emotion. Leighton met the painter in 1853 and they developed a deep, mutual respect and friendship. Leighton did much to promote Costa's work in England. The portrait is bold and dramatic and reflects the initmacy of the relationship between the two men.

Provenance

Professor Giovanni Costa; then by descent; Christie's, 1997; private collector.