Corfu and the Ionian Islands



From his travels between 1848 and 1863 Lear published twenty lithographs, (no letterpress) in his Views in the Seven Ionian Islands (London: privately printed, 1863).


A selection of Lear’s letters, and his diary entries from 1858 onwards relating to Corfu are published in Edward Lear: The Corfu Years. Edited by Philip Sherrard. (Athens: Denise Harvey & Co, 1988).



Vlicho Bay, Leucada

Vlicho Bay, Leukada, 17 April 1863.

April–May 1848: Corfu and the other Ionian Islands (Paxos, Leucada, Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Cythera).  


Numbered series 1-137.

    View from the Castle Hill, looking towards Monte Skopo, Zante [Zakynthos]. From Views in the Seven Ionian Islands.

    View from the Castle Hill, looking towards Monte Skopo, Zante [Zakynthos]. From Views in the Seven Ionian Islands.

    November 1855–June 1856: Corfu

    Numbered series 1-50, with a few unnumbered studies.


    December 1857–March 1858: Corfu

    June–August 1858: Corfu

    Number of sketches unknown (fewer than 50).

    Studies of sheep, Ascension [Análipsi, Corfu], 10 May 1856. Houghton Library.

    Studies of sheep, Ascension [Análipsi, Corfu], 10 May 1856. Houghton Library.

    At Análipsi 12 February 1858. British Museum.

    At Análipsi 12 February 1858. British Museum.

    April–May 1862: Corfu

    Numbered series 1102.



    November 1862–April 1863

    Unnumbered series.


    Palaiokastriza, Corfu,  21 April 1862. Rhode Island School of Design.

    Palaiokastriza, Corfu,  21 April 1862. Rhode Island School of Design.

    April–June 1863: The Ionian Islands

    Numbered series 1215:


    Paxos: 511 April

    Leucada: 1125 April

    Ithaca: 26 April2 May

    Cephalonia: 217 May

    Kythera: 1825 May

    Zakynthos: 26 May2 June.



    Prasses, Paxos, sunset 6 April 1863.  Gennadius Library.

    Prasses, Paxos, sunset 6 April 1863.  Gennadius Library.

    January–April 1864: Corfu

    Number of sketches unknown (fewer than 50).

    Corfu, 17 February and 18 March 1864. Scottish National Gallery.

    Corfu, 17 February and 18 March 1864.
    Scottish National Gallery.

    1866 and 1877: Corfu


    April 1866: numbered series (? 27 sketches)

    September 1877: a few unnumbered sketches

    Potamos Flats, Corfu, 20 April 1866. Gennadius Library.

    Potamos Flats, Corfu, 20 April 1866. Gennadius Library.

    Lear Greek Letter

    Lear signs off in Greek. 

    Autograph letter. Glamorgan Archives.