Edward Lear

Sir Wyndham Dunstan (1861-1949);
John, Lord D'Ayton (1922-2003);
thence by descent to the present owners

London, Agnew's, 100^th Annual Exhibition of Watercolours and Drawings, 1973, no. 155;
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. 16

The present work has been carefully presented. The pen and brown ink has remained in fresh condition, however some of the watercolour pigments have faded. Within parts of the sky, there has been some restoration and it appears that the colours in the upper right hand corner of the composition have been strengthened. The sheet has been laid down. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com) or Emmline 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 23^rd May 1858, whilst spending time at Baalbek during his tour of the interior of Lebanon, Lear visited the gorge at Suk Wady Barada and made the present drawing. At the end of the month he left Baalbek and travelled to Damascus. The journey took only a day and, in a letter to his friend Lady Waldegrave, he expressed regret at not being able to spend longer over it: 'The day's journey thence half way over Anti Lebanon, and the following journey down hither would be of great interest could more time be spent on the way'.¹ He spent only a few days in Damascus, delighting in the 'glittering city',² before leaving for Corfu.

1. V. Noakes, Edward Lear Selected Letters, Oxford 1988, p. 159
2. V. Noakes, Edward Lear Selected Letters, Oxford 1988, p. 159