Edward Lear, Perugia, Italy.
Pen and brown ink and watercolour over pencil; inscribed lower right: near / Perugia / 7. September 1883 / 7.AM.; further inscribed with artist’s notes. 325 by 505 mm.

Lear drew this large pen and ink study during a visit to Perugia in September 1883. A late work, he skilfully depicts the ancient city with its patchwork of small streets and tiled roofs. Towering above the other buildings is the Basilica San Domenico, while in the distance the Umbrian hills can clearly be seen.

Provenance

With Agnew’s, London;
John, Lord D’Ayton (1922-2003);
thence by descent to the present owners

Exhibited

London, Sotheby’s, Edward Lear, An Exhibition of Works by Edward Lear from the D’Ayton International Collection, assembled by John D’Ayton, 2004, no. 8

Sotheby’s Old Master & British Drawings including French Masterworks from the Dormeuil Collection.