Edward Lear, Santa Maura.
Inscribed and dated ‘Santa. Maura./Βασιλικῆ/19. April.1863’ (lower right), variously annotated throughout, with collector’s stamp (upper right). Pen and ink and watercolour heightened with white. 36 x 52.5cm (14 3/16 x 20 11/16in).
Provenance
With P & D Colnaghi & Co. Ltd, London.
Anon. sale, Sotheby’s, London, 20 October 1993, lot 119.
Private collection, Greece.
‘This valley we crossed ― & an ascent to Κονδάρινα followed ― no part is anywhere very interesting. 9 A.M. thence, by particularly vile paths & a steep descent to the shore of Βασιλικῆ. The morning was hot ― & I not very well ― headache & tired. I wish I could reckon on getting back to Sta. Maura on Thursday! However, the plain of Βασιλικῆ & the mountain of Σταυροτὰ are more respectable than anything I have yet seen.’
Edward Lear, diary entry for 19 April 1863.
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