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Edward Lear, Extensive Greek Italian Landscape, Antique Ruins, Campagna di Roma

c. 1848

About the Item

Most accounts of the artistic achievements of Edward Lear (1812–1888) take as their starting point the notion that he is better known as the writer of nonsense verse than as a topographical draughtsman and painter. His art is then considered largely in isolation, as the extraordinary creation of a fascinatingly eccentric Victorian. However, Lear's art is outstanding. Although Lear suffered from epilepsy, asthma, poor eyesight, and chronic depression, he was an inveterate traveler and an indefatigable sketcher, documenting a lifetime of journeys throughout the Mediterranean and India. During his two-month tour to Athens, mainland Greece and the island of Euboea, Edward Lear made almost 150 landscape drawings and kept a diary of his experiences and impressions. Many years later, Lear’s travelling companion, Charles Church, wrote up his own reminiscences of their trip, incorporating parts of Lear’s diary. Lear arrived in Greece on 1st June 1848 before setting out on a tour of the central part of that country with his friend and patron, Charles Church. Unfortunately, their journey was beset by misfortune and Lear was thrown from his horse on the first day. Despite a sprained shoulder he refused to turn back and they visited Chalcis, Euboea, Eretia, Aliveri, Kumi, Lamia and Patragik before reaching 'the celebrated pass of Thermopylae'1on the 30th. By the time they reached Thebes however Lear had developed a fever and, dangerously ill, he had to be brought back to Athens 'by four horses on an indiarubber bed.'2 1. V. Noakes, Edward Lear Selected Letters, London 1988, p. 80 2. Lady Constance Strachey, Letters of Edward Lear, London 1907, p. 11 The present drawing is typical in style and material to Edward Lears other known drawings from his travels. Its measurements and technique are comparable to other known drawings by Lear. At Christie's London a comparable work has been sold in December 2023 (Lot 225, Tor de'Schiavi, Campagna de Roma). The drawing comes from a private German collection.
  • Attributed to:
    Edward Lear (1812 - 1888, British)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1848
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 31.6 in (80.27 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Greven, DE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1550213762812
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