Edward Lear, (British, 1812-1888)

Boats on the Nile near Deir El Kadige

Boats on the Nile near Deir El Kadige
signed with monogram (lower right); stamped with the collector stamp of Earl Spencer (lower left)
watercolour
9.7 x 20cm (3 13/16 x 7 7/8in).

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 produced a study of of Nile vessels, inscribed and dated 'Deir Kadige/noon-1.PM./Janry 2 1867', which shows the dome of the mosque on the river bank (National Maritime Museum collection, PAD9103). For a similar composition to the present lot, painted in 1871, see Sotheby's, London, 5 March 2014, lot 281.