This watercolour probably dates from Lear's third visit to Malta (December 1865 - April 1866). On his return to Corfu, he wrote to Charles Fortescue about Gozo that 'The coast scenery may truly be called pomskizillions & gromphibberous, being as no words can describe its magnificence' (13 April 1866; Lady Strachey, ed., The Later Letters of Edward Lear, 1911, p. 77).

The Coast of Gozo is based on 'the egg' (no. 38) but with figures replacing the rocks in the left foreground. The 'egg' is inscribed 'One show'd an iron Coast' (cf. The Palace of Art)