A Blog of Bosh

Edward Lear, A View of Subiaco, Italy.
Signed and dated lower right: Edward Lear. del. 1842 and inscribed lower left: Subiaco. Pencil on blue paper, heightened with white. 25.4 by 35 cm., 10 by 13 ¾ in.

Provenance
Anonymous sale, Sotheby’s London, 15th February 1961, lot 55 (2 in the lot);
By descent to the present owner

Lear arrived in Rome, aged twenty-five, in December 1837 on his first overseas tour. Apart from two brief visits to England he remained there for ten years. This fine early drawing show the influence of the drawing master and watercolourist James Duffield Harding (1798-1863). By the mid 1840s Lear had developed his own unique style for which he is best known.

Subiaco lies directly east of Rome. This view is taken from the west of the town with the Ponte di San Francesco in the foreground. Built in 1358 it has a span of 121 feet over the Aniene river. On the hill behind is the large Rocca Abbaziale or Abbot’s Castle dating from medieval times.

Guy Peppiatt.

Edward Lear, Abetone, Monte Modina.
August 1883

Also see:
Edward Lear, View of Mount Modino, near Abetone (1883)
Edward Lear, Abetone (1883)
Edward Lear, Abetone (1883)
Edward Lear, Monte Libro-Aperto (1883)

Edward Lear (British, 1812-1888) Trees at Tivoli.
Pencil and stump work on buff paper. 24 x 35 cm. (9 1/2 x 13 3/4 in.)

Provenance
Private Collection, London

Invaluable.

Edward Lear, Ponte Nomentano near Rome, May 17th 1844.
Pen and brown ink, signed and dated May 17th 1844 in pencil lower right, titled in pencil lower left, 15.5 x 25cm.

Provenance
Michael Spratt Gallery, Guildford, Surrey

The Saleroom.