Edward Lear (British 1812-1888) , La Piana, Corsica

Edward Lear (British 1812-1888)La Piana, CorsicaInk and watercolourTitled and dated 11 May 1868 5am-6am lower left, numbered 185 lower right and variously annotated35 x 53cm (13¾ x 20¾ in.)Provenance:Pawsey and Payne Ltd., LondonEdward Lear travelled to Corsica in April 1868 with the writer John Addington Symonds and stayed until early June. While exploring the island he filled pages of his sketchbooks with views and produced over three-hundred and fifty drawings, carefully annotated with his highly-recognisable colour suggestions, locations and timings. He documented his journey in his last travel book, Journal of a Landscape Painter in Corsica, published in 1870, which includes forty engravings based on the sketches. He also worked these up as the basis for his watercolours and also a series of oil painting, several of which were painted on a monumental scale. Condition Report: The sheet is not laid down, but is attached by the edges to a windowed mount. It is quite discoloured and there are several small spots of foxing and acid staining in the sky. The pigments area lightly faded, but there are no visible signs of damage or restoration. The mount is slightly acid stained. Condition Report Disclaimer