Edward Lear, Ruins at Dendera, Egypt.
A pair, one inscribed and dated ‘Denderah/3.PM.Jany.15/9.30.AM.Jany16.}1867’ (lower left); numbered ‘(N^o 7) (170)’ (lower right) and the other inscribed and dated ‘Dendera 8.45 AM/16.Jany 1867′ (lower left)’ numbered ‘(175)’ (lower right); both also annotated throughout. Pen, ink and watercolour heightened with bodycolour. each 16.2 x 34.4cm (6 3/8 x 13 9/16in).

The present works were painted during Lear’s third and final visit to Egypt, between December 1866 and March 1867. During mid-January Lear visited Dendera- a Temple 40 miles downriver from Luxor- and produced a series of numbered drawings. For similar examples see: Sotheby’s, London, 17 November 1988, lot 187 (numbered 176), Christie’s, London, 2 April 1996, lot 100 (numbered 169) and Bonhams, London, 6 December 2012, lot 102 (numbered 153).

Bonhams.