Edward Lear, (British, 1812-1888)

Plain of Thebes, Egypt

Plain of Thebes, Egypt
signed with monogram (lower right); signed with monogram (lower left); stamped with the collector stamp of Earl Spencer (lower left)
watercolour
17.4 x 37.6cm (6 7/8 x 14 13/16in).

Provenance
Edward John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer Collection, UK (Frits Lugt L.2341a).
Max Harari Collection, UK (acquired from the above).
Thence by descent.

Lear visited Thebes in February 1854, spending ten days sketching the temples, ruins and landscape, as part of his journey along the Nile. A similar composition to the present lot, painted in 1885 and based on sketches made during this visit, is in the collection of the RISD Museum, Rhode Island.