Edward Lear 1812 - 1888

Painted for Captain and Miss Phipps Hornby of Shooters Hill, Kent;
Miss Edith Jones (and thence by descent until sold:  Sotheby's, October 29, 1986, lots 308 and 309)
(Sale:  Sotheby's, London, June 6, 2007, lot 85)
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner

i) Canvas is not lined. In good condition. Stabilized cracquelure at egdes, beginning upper right corrner and following around edge until lower left. Canvas is slightly loose on stretcher. Under UV: a few scattered spots of inpaint in sky and in tree to the left of the tomb. Area of inpaint to the left of goats and around figures. ii) Canvas is not lined. Overall cracquelure that is stabilized; circular area of stabilized cracquelure above seated figures' heads to the left. Two minute specks of lifting to paint in sky to the left above the tor. Slight surface dirt. Under UV: scattered spots of in paint in sky and background. Lower right and left corner and lower center flouresce.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The tomb of Cecilia Metella was built circa 50 BC. Cecilia Metella was the daughter of a Roman Consul, Creticus. She married the son of Crassus, a member of the first Roman Triumvirate and one of the richest men in Rome in the first century BC, but little more is know about her. The Via Labicana is an ancient road running south east from Rome.
Lear travelled to Italy in 1837 and, with the exception of two visits to England in 1841 and 1845-6, he stayed there for the next ten years. He was part of an international community of artists, and he maintained his financial independence by teaching drawing, selling his pictures, and writing two illustrated books on Italy.