Edward Lear (1812-1888)

Edward Lear (1812-1888)
Mentone
Signed and inscribed Mentone/ Edw Lear del (in ink, lower right)
Watercolour, with pen and sepia ink, heightened with scratching out
14.3 x 22.3cm; 5½ x 8¾in

In correspondence to a friend in November 1864, Lear wrote that he was about to 'flee away south to Mallorca, Marseilles, Monpelier, Mentone, Malta, Malaga, Madiera I don't know which - or much care, provided the place begins with a Nem.' During the winter of 1864-5, he made many detailed studies along much of the south coast of France.