Lot Essay
Teddy Millington-Drake (1932-1994) visited Easter Island in 1986. Travelling was an important aspect of Millington-Drake's life, both in childhood with his diplomat father, Sir Eugen Millington-Drake (1889-1972), and in later life, a passion that he shared with his companion Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989), the celebrated novelist and travel writer. He was inspired by the challenges that he faced in trying to capture the effects of the ever-changing weather on the landscape. The famous stone sculptures (known as Moais), carved from rock in the sides of the extinct volcano, provided unique subject matter that, as can be seen in the present watercolours, both compliment and personalise the rugged and atmospheric landscapes.