Edward Lear (1812-1888)

Lear first visited Jerusalem in the Spring of 1858 arriving in Holy Week, having been given commissioned to paint the city by Lady Waldegrave. He went out each morning making preparatory sketches and wrote in his diary that he 'went up the Mount of Olives - every step bringing fresh beauty to the city uprising behind. At the top, by the Church of Ascension, the view is wonderfully beautiful indeed' (E. Lear, Diary, 28.iii.58). Lear visited Jerusalem again in 1867.