Aetos, on the Island of Ithaca

Lear visited the Ionian islands twice, in 1848 and again in 1863, before the British handed over rule to the Greeks; he was on Ithaca from 26 April until 1 May. On 29 April he visited Aetos, an antique site on the west coast. Two other watercolours executed on the same day show Cape Giuscorde from Mount Neritos at 4.00pm., numbered '(96)', with Spinks in 1947, and Ithaca from Mount Neritos above Mani Katharon, numbered '(97)', sold at Christie's London, 16 November 1982, lot 64, illustrated.
Ithaca is the smallest of the Ionian islands. It is famous as the island of Odysseus and when Byron visited the island in August 1823, he found it so beautiful that he considered buying it and living there permanently.