Inscribed and dated l.l.: Monte Generoso/9.AM. August 2.1878

Watercolour over pen and ink and traces of pencil, 40.5 by 55.5 cm (16 by 21 ¾ ins)

Dating from one of Lear’s first visits to Monte Generoso in 1878, the present watercolour is from a group of spectacular large-scale drawings of the mountain on the Italian/Swiss border originating from several summer trips there over the following few years. Lear and his Suliot manservant Giorgio Kokali began their ascent on the previous day (1^st August), allowing them to reach the summit early on the following morning. He notes in his diary for 2^nd August: “Slept well. Fine Clear Morning. Rose before 5. Undecided to go…to the top of the mountain…At length was so lovely, decided to go. And having packed lunch and 2 ½ bottles (two half bottles) of wine…set off at 7. By 9, rather sooner, reached the summit where already were a Swiss and his wife. Drew twice until 10.30…” (Edward Lear Diary for 2^nd August 1878, held by Houghton Library, Harvard University (MS Eng 797.3) (transcribed from microfiche of original manuscript)).