Castello di Baia near Naples, Italy

EDWARD LEAR
Highgate 1812-1888 San Remo

Castello di Baia near Naples, Italy

Pencil heightened with white on grey paper
119 x 231 mm., 4 ½ x 9 in.

This drawing dates from Lear's time in Rome from late 1837 until 1848 when he worked in pencil or black chalk. The lack of inscription suggests it's a studio work and maybe preparatory for an engraving or larger drawing.

The castle of Baia, several miles west of Naples, is perched on a cliff top overlooking the Mediterranean. The current fortress was built by the Aragonese in the late fifteenth century on a cliff above Roman ruins which purport to be Julius Caesar's summer residence. They are more likely to have built by the Emperor Nero however.