Edward Lear Mount Etna at sunset, Sicily

Inscribed ‘Etna 5 June 7pm 1864’ and with colour notes, numbered (183) l.r., pen and brown ink and watercolour, inscribed verso next below top/123 up/A (crossed out) A

6.7 x 27 cm.; 6 5/8 x 10 ½ inches

Provenance

Fine Art Society, where purchased on 30 June 1962 by

Miss Rowell, Wylam, Northamptonshire, until 2022
The numbering on this drawing suggests that it was done by Lear on his way back from Crete in June 1864. Lear spent seven weeks on the island. His last drawing, done in Hania was numbered 179.

The artist first visited Sicily in 1842 and again in 1847 with his travelling companion John Proby. On this occasion he was passing after his travels in Crete.