Mount Olympus from Larissa, Thessaly, Greece 1850 - 1885

Edward Lear created this watercolor painting of Mount Olympus in Thessaly, Greece, using paper, watercolor and graphite. The hazy quality achieved with watercolor gives a sense of atmospheric perspective, and also speaks to the artist's technique. Lear worked en plein air, meaning he painted directly from nature. The immediacy of the medium – mixing pigment and water, then quickly applying it to paper – allowed him to capture fleeting moments of light and weather. You can almost feel the heat radiating from the landscape. Note how the graphite underdrawing peeks through in areas, showing Lear’s initial sketch. The ease and speed of working in watercolor allowed artists to produce studies and records of their experiences with efficiency. But it's important to remember that even a seemingly straightforward landscape is the result of careful selection and composition. Lear chose to depict this particular view, emphasizing the grandeur of Mount Olympus, and framing it with the figures in the foreground. This image is a product of both careful observation and artistic interpretation, reflecting both the artist’s skill and his personal vision.