Edward Lear

Mrs Ashton;
Miss Lupton, Leeds;
thence by family descent, until 1992;
with Agnew's, London, until 1995;
by whom sold to John, Lord D'Ayton (1922-2003);
thence by descent to the present owners

London, Sotheby's, Edward Lear, An Exhibition of Works by Edward Lear from the D'Ayton International Collection, assembled by John D'Ayton, 2004, no. 15

This work has been well preserved and carefully presented. The watercolour pigments have remained fresh and vibrant. At the extreme edges of the sheet, there is evidence of some very minor light staining, however this has not effected the paper tone. The sheet has not been laid down, but is instead attached to a non-acidic mount at its extreme edges. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (mark.griffithjones@sothebys) or Emmeline Hallmark (emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com).
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

On his way back from Egypt in the Spring of 1858 Lear spent several days by the Dead Sea and in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem before catching the boat from Jaffa to Beirut. From there he made an expedition into Lebanon, stopping at Damascus and, on the 23^rd May, the ruins of Baalbek. Lear was not in good spirits when he arrived as the site was crowded with English travellers. He also complained of 'a ropedancer from Cairo - with consequent attendant crowds - and a village full of tiresome begging impical Heliopolitans'.¹ As a result of these irritations he was not able to fully appreciate his surroundings and wrote: 'I can by no means endorse the enthusiasm of travellers regarding those very grand ruins. Their immense size, their proportions, - the inimitable labour and exquisite workmanship of their sculptured details, none can fail to be struck with, nor to delight in contemplating. But all the florid ornaments of architecture cannot fill up the place of simplicity, nor to me is it possible to see hideous forms of Saracentic walls around and mixed with such remains as those of Baalbec without a feeling of confused dislike of the whole scene - so incomplete and so unimpressive'.²

1. Ed. Lady Strachey, Letters of Edward Lear...to Chichester Fortescue...and Frances, Countess Waldegrave, London 1907, p. 109
2. Ed. Lady Strachey, Letters of Edward Lear...to Chichester Fortescue...and Frances, Countess Waldegrave, London 1907, p. 109