EDWARD LEAR (BRITISH 1812-1888)
BORDIGHERA, ITALY
£2,268
Auction: Day 1 - Wed 14th May from 10am | Lots 1 to 313
Description
Inscribed and dated 1864, extensively annotated, pen and ink and coloured wash
Dimensions
22cm x 33cm (8.5in x 13in)
Footnote
Lear would have arrived in Bordighera, on the French-Italian border, in December 1864, returning from his walking tour along the Riviera to Genoa. He was drawn to the area in part because of its connection to Shelley, whose work Lear much admired. On the 30th of December he writes: '([glorious] clear morning.) [...] The Hole d'Angleterre is vastly clean & nice: Cooking good, & W.C. best in all the Riviera. Joined the 4 horse Vettura, which G. had arranged with, & was off at 8. Uninteresting road from S. Remo - & next village. Railway workmen &c. Just before reaching Bordighera, at 9.15 - leave Vettura, & poke up queer lanes & into olive woods & palm gardens to find a "view". Very beautiful semi oriental places, & Corfu-like groves of olives - which bewitched me - together with the bright sky - & I drew till 10.30. Came down the hill, & thereabout is one of the finest of all the Riviera "panoramas" - so drew again till 11, & did not get to the Hotel d'Angleterre till 11.30. "Neat" house. Capital breakfast - (6.20)[.] Looked at rooms: I fancy this would have been the nicest winter place of all. Off at 12.20 highly content. Hear, & pass Pifferari: & at 1 reach Ventimiglia, & leave carriage. Drew in river bed - mighty picturesque scene! [...] 3.40. - Exit from Italy which I am vexed at.'