Taggia 1884 - 1885

Edward Lear made this watercolor titled ‘Taggia’ on a small sheet of paper during an era of expanding British influence abroad. It's amazing how this intimate landscape, with its delicate washes, can evoke the grand narratives of cultural exchange and imperial ambition. Lear, though celebrated for his nonsense verse, was a prolific travel artist. His journeys through Europe and the Middle East were made possible by the era's colonial infrastructure. The visual consumption of foreign lands helped shape European identity and reinforce a sense of cultural superiority. But, Lear struggled with epilepsy and depression and perhaps he found solace and escape in these landscapes. The muted tones and tranquil scene invite us to consider the complex relationship between personal experience and broader historical forces. Did Lear see himself as part of the British project? Or was he more interested in his own emotional and creative worlds?