No.20

Edward Lear 1812-1888

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Famous for his limericks, it’s often forgotten that he had other strings to his bow - he was author, poet, artist and illustrator.

By the time he was 16, he was already earning money by drawing, and very soon was employed by the Zoological Society as an illustrator. Aged 19 he published his first book which consisted of illustrations of parrots.

He spent 3 years travelling and painting in Italy, and later toured the Mediterranean coasts. His trips abroad also took him to Greece and India.

Here are just a few examples of his work . . .

The Vini Kuhlii are native to Rimatara in the Tubuai Islands.

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The Ara Macao which is found in the evergreen forests of the American tropics.

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This is the Maguari Stork from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia.

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This painting Civita Castellano is a scene in the province of Virterbo, Italy.

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A view of the pyramid road at Gizah.

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And one in Britain - at Nuneham near Oxford.

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This is his famous drawing of the owl and the pussy cat.

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From his illustrations of imaginary plants, Manypeeplia Upsidownia,

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And his drawing of himself and his cat Foss

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Yes, he was certainly an eccentric gentleman!

Apparently he would sometimes introduce himself as Mr. Abebika
Kratoponoko Prizzikalo Kattefello Ablegorobalus Ableborinto Phashyph!!!

So it won’t surprise you to learn that when he gave some drawing lessons to Queen Victoria, there was quite a fuss over his failure to observe the proper court protocol.

Finally, a portrait of Lear as a young man by Wilhelm Marstrand

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