Albania in the Painting of Edward Lear (1848)

Albanien in der Kunst des Malers Edward Lear (1848)

Pikturat shqiptare të Eduard Lirit (Edward Lear, 1848)

EDL007 - Edward Lear: The old Sulejman Pasha Mosque (1614-1967) in Tirana, Albania, 28 September 1848. “It was a work of trouble to sketch in Tyrana; for it was market, or bazaar day, and when I was tempted to open my book in the large space before the two principal mosques - (one wild scene of confusion, in which oxen, buffaloes, sheep, goats, geese, asses, dogs, and children, were all running about in disorder) - a great part of the natives, impelled by curiosity, pressed closely to watch my operations… Not the least annoyance was that given me by the persevering attentions of a mad or fanatic dervish, of most singular appearance as well as conduct. His note of “Shaitán” was frequently sounded; and as he twirled about, and performed many curious antics, he frequently advanced to me, shaking a long hooked stick, covered with jingling ornaments, in my very face, pointing to the Kawás with menacing looks, as though he would say, “Were it not for this protector you should be annihilated, you infidel!” The crowd looked on with awe at the holy man’s proceedings, for Tyrana is evidently a place of great attention to religion. In no part of Albania are there such beautiful mosques, and nowhere are collected so many green-vested dervishes.” Edward Lear in Albania  (London 2008), p. 49-50.