Karitena in Arcadia, Greece

The present watercolour was executed as a result of Lear's first trip with Franklin Lushington (1823-1901), who became one of Lear's closest friends and regular travelling companions. The two had met just a few months previously in Malta. This visit was physically demanding as they were travelling through the some of the most remote mountainous areas of Greece. However, Lear was captivated by the scenery writing, 'the beauty of this part of Greece can hardly be imagined: - all the exquisite plains of the coast are seen through magnificent forests & ilex and oak' (P. Levi, E. Lear: A Biography, 1996, p. 122).

A similar view but with the figures disposed towards the centre of the scene, rather than to the left hand side, was sold in these rooms, 21 September 2004, lot 116.