Details

Provenance

With Agnew's, London; sale, London, Christie's, 24 April 1996, lot 85 Condition The medium has remained largely fresh and strong and the picture has a real presence. There extreme edges, hidden by the current mount, have discoloured and there is the occasion foxmark in the sky. The sheet has not been laid down but is attached to a board at the extreme edges. "In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE." Catalogue Note After spending only three weeks in Corfu, the island Lear claimed to be a 'Paradise' to his sister Ann, he was invited to join the British Ambassador to Turkey, Sir Stratford Canning, and his wife, on their travels to Constantinople via Athens. Lear arrived in Athens in June 1849 and was instantly captivated by his surroundings, exclaiming to his sister 'surely never was anything so magnificent...!' He first visited the Acropolis on 4 June, but evidently made further visits during his time in their, as is indicated by the dates on the present drawing. Lear illustrates the winding path down to the Acropolis, with numerous figures in the foreground. Standing in the centre of the view is the Frankish Tower, a fourteenth century addition to the Acropolis. In 1875, this tower was demolished, as part of a project initiated by Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890), a German pioneer in archaeology, who aimed to clear the Acropolis of post-Classical buildings. The project incited considerable criticism, and was even referred to as 'pedantic barbarism' by historian of Frankish Greece, William Miller.

Catalog summary

Lear The Acropolis, Athens Pen and brown ink and watercolour, heightened with white on grey paper; inscribed, dated and numbered, lower right: athens - / 5.6. / 9 June. / 1848 / 9 311 by 508 mm Provenance With Agnew's, London; sale, London, Christie's, 24 April 1996, lot 85 Condition The medium has remained largely fresh and strong and the picture has a real presence. There extreme edges, hidden by the current mount, have discoloured and there is the occasion foxmark in the sky. The sheet has not been laid down but is attached to a board at the extreme edges. "In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE." Catalogue Note After spending only three weeks in Corfu, the island Lear claimed to be a 'Paradise' to his sister Ann, he was invited to join the British Ambassador to Turkey, Sir Stratford Canning, and his wife, on their travels to Constantinople via Athens. Lear arrived in Athens in June 1849 and was instantly captivated by his surroundings, exclaiming to his sister 'surely never was anything so magnificent...!' He first visited the Acropolis on 4 June, but evidently made further visits during his time in their, as is indicated by the dates on the present drawing. Lear illustrates the winding path down to the Acropolis, with numerous figures in the foreground. Standing in the centre of the view is the Frankish Tower, a fourteenth century addition to the Acropolis. In 1875, this tower was demolished, as part of a project initiated by Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890), a German pioneer in archaeology, who aimed to clear the Acropolis of post-Classical buildings. The project incited considerable criticism, and was even referred to as 'pedantic barbarism' by historian of Frankish Greece, William Miller.