작품 상세

Edward Lear's travels in Italy began in 1837, after developing his career as an ornithological artist first employed by the London Zoological Society, and then by the Earl of Derby, for his private menagerie at Knowsley Hall. The Earl funded Lear's Italian tour, in the hope it would improve his ill health, and further his artistic career, both as a writer and painter. In 1846, on his return to Britain, Lear published his two volumed 'Illustrated Excursion in Italy' after spending time in Sicily and the Abruzzo region of Italy between 1843 and 1845. It was during his time in Abruzzo when the present drawing of Mopolino was made, in October 1844. The artist continued to travel extensively throughout his life, with only a short stay in London, during which time he attended the Royal Academy Schools, and studied under Holman Hunt. He revisited the Mediterranean coast many times, as well as touring Egypt between 1843 and 1849, and India and Ceylon between 1873 and 1875. He worked throughout all his travels; creating coloured pen and ink washes of the surrounding landscapes, inscribing notes on colour and form then and there, as seen in the present drawings, to be then worked up in oils, watercolours or as book illustrations in his studio. In 1870, Lear bought land in San Remo, on the north west coast of Italy, on which he later built 'Casa Emily', said to be named after Tennyson's wife, with whom he was a close friend. It was in September of 1870 that the present drawing of Alba was made, with Lear spending the summer of that year in nearby Certosa di Pesio. He spent much of his remaining years visiting Monte Generoso in Switzerland, and published two further editions of his 'Nonsense books' of limericks and poems; his most well know limerick being 'The Owl and the Pussycat', which he wrote for the children of his long time patron. Lear died in his home in San Remo, after his health was badly affected by a severe attack of bronchitis. Edward Lear (British, 1812-1888) View of Mopolino inscribed "9 October 1844" pen, ink and wash h:18 w: 26 cm Provenance: Thos. Agnew and Sons Ltd., 43 Old Bond Street, Piccadilly, London, W1. Edward Lear's travels in Italy began in 1837, after developing his career as an ornithological artist first employed by the London Zoological Society, and then by the Earl of Derby, for his private menagerie at Knowsley Hall. The Earl funded Lear's Italian tour, in the hope it would improve his ill health, and further his artistic career, both as a writer and painter. In 1846, on his return to Britain, Lear published his two volumed 'Illustrated Excursion in Italy' after spending time in Sicily and the Abruzzo region of Italy between 1843 and 1845. It was during his time in Abruzzo when the present drawing of Mopolino was made, in October 1844. The artist continued to travel extensively throughout his life, with only a short stay in London, during which time he attended the Royal Academy Schools, and studied under Holman Hunt. He revisited the Mediterranean coast many times, as well as touring Egypt between 1843 and 1849, and India and Ceylon between 1873 and 1875. He worked throughout all his travels; creating coloured pen and ink washes of the surrounding landscapes, inscribing notes on colour and form then and there, as seen in the present drawings, to be then worked up in oils, watercolours or as book illustrations in his studio. In 1870, Lear bought land in San Remo, on the north west coast of Italy, on which he later built 'Casa Emily', said to be named after Tennyson's wife, with whom he was a close friend. It was in September of 1870 that the present drawing of Alba was made, with Lear spending the summer of that year in nearby Certosa di Pesio. He spent much of his remaining years visiting Monte Generoso in Switzerland, and published two further editions of his 'Nonsense books' of limericks and poems; his most well know limerick being 'The Owl and the Pussycat', which he wrote for the children of his long time patron. Lear died in his home in San Remo, after his health was badly affected by a severe attack of bronchitis.