A summer retreat in Sicily

Details

Edward Lear (1812-1888)
A summer retreat in Sicily
inscribed 'Puisque nos * sont rempliér/De troubler et le calamites' (lower right), and further inscribed and dated 'Sicily 1847' (on the reverse)
pen and brown ink and watercolour
8½ x 13¼ in. (21.6 x 33.6 cm.)

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Lot Essay

The French inscription reads 'Since our *** had been filled with troubles and calamities.' Lear travelled to Sicily in 1847 with John Proby, and we can only assume that their time in the depicted villa was fraught with difficulties. On this same trip Lear was bitten by a pig, much to the amusement of his travelling companion.

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