EDWARD LEAR
(1812-1888)
 

Parrot: ‘Microglossus aterrimus’

c.1830

watercolour and ink on paper

18.7 x 11.5 cm

inscribed: E Lear    Microglossus Aterrimus.

Plate 16

P.402

Between 1828 and 1830 Lear began to earn his living by drawing birds. He decided to concentrate on parrots and planned an ambitious book Illustration of the family of Psittacidae, or Parrots in fourteen folios. Although he worked hard throughout 1831, the costs of production were high and the twelfth folio, published in April 1832, was the last to appear. However, the work was highly praised and no doubt led to the commission from Lord Stanley (1799-1869) later that year, to draw the animals in his menagerie at Knowsley.

EJ

PROVENANCE: Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd, from whom purchased by Gallery, January 1962.

REFERENCES: Illustrated as plate 16 in vol. XVIII of Sir William Jardine’s Naturalists Library, published 1843.

Copyright © Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.

Extract taken from Watercolours and Drawings, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery by Evelyn Joll.