Edward Lear (London 1812-1888 San Remo, Italy)

Lear travelled to Masada, the fortress town discussed by Josephus as the last stronghold of the Jews against the Romans, in April 1858 while travelling from Jerusalem to Petra. By 1858 he was a seasoned traveller, having journeyed extensively through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Albania and Egypt. He had tried to visit the Holy Land on two previous occasions, both of which had to be abandoned, so this was his first visit to the region. Arriving in Jerusalem in Holy Week, he was surprised by the 'hubbub' and decided to move on and visit the rest of the area, before returning to Jerusalem when the city was quieter. He left Jerusalem on 2nd April travelling south to Bethlehem and Hebron and then on to Petra and the Dead Sea, through some of the hottest driest regions on earth. During this journey he made several drawings of Masada from different viewpoints, including one seen from the south sold in these Rooms, 7 July 2015, lot 106.