Edward Lear, Abydus, Egypt.
Watercolour heightened with white. Signed with monogram, titled and dated ‘1867’ (lower left). 16 x 25.5cm (6¼ x 10 in.)

Provenance
Ruskin Gallery, Stratford Upon Avon 1964
Property from the Estate of William W. Appleton
His sale, Christie’s, New York, 29 January 2015, lot 108, where purchased by Robert Kime

Abydos is one of the oldest of the sacred cities of Ancient Egypt and was the site of a number of important tombs and temples including the Temple of Seti I. Lear visited Abydos during his third visit to Egypt in 1867. His earlier trips had taken place much earlier, in 1849 and 1853-4. He travelled up the Nile as far as the Second Cataract, and into what was then Nubia before returning to Cairo.

Dreweatts.