The Daphnephoria (Leighton)

The Daphnephoria is an oil painting by Frederic Leighton, first exhibited in 1876.

The Daphenphoria was a triumphal procession held every ninth year at Thebes in honour of Apollo, to whom the laurel was sacred, and to commemorate also a victory of the Thebans over the Aeolians of Arne.

[1][2] In the Academy exhibition of 1876, with The Daphnephoria, Leighton once more chose a classic theme, for a painting which, by its composition, reminded the critics and lovers of art of the artist's early success with the Cimabue's Madonna, and of his other large processional picture, the Syracusan Bride.

[4] It was later acquired by Lord Leverhulme, and was transferred from his private collection to the Lady Lever Art Gallery in 1922.

[6] Later Victorian assessments were generally positive, and Sir W. B. Richmond was even enthusiastic.