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)

EDL010 - Edward Lear: Hiking to the town and fortress of Kruja (Kroia), Albania, 30 September 1848. “A winding ascent through green wooded hill-buttresses or shoulders changed ere long for a sharp climb up to the foot of the great rock round which the town clusters and hangs - at which point I arrived at half-past four P.M., and where I gladly paused to sketch, rest, and enjoy the view above, below, and around. Few prospects are more stately than those of this renowned spot; and perhaps that of the crag, with its ruined castle projecting from the great rocks above, and lording over the spacious plain country north and south from Skodra towards Durázzo, reminded me more of Olévano, that most lovely landscape in a land of loveliness, than any place I ever saw.” Edward Lear in Albania (London 2008), p. 52-53. EDL011 - Edward Lear: Shkodra (Scutari) in northern Albania, with a view of the fortress and the old Bahçëllëk (Gardens) Bridge (1768-1880) over the Drin River, 4 October 1848. “By the aid of a tractable Kawás I drew throughout the whole day unremittingly from various points below the south side of the castle, whence the view was very imposing, and near a wondrous old bridge across the Boyána, constructed of pointed arches of irregular width, and having somewhat the effect of the columns in a Gothic cathedral, suddenly resolved on spanning the stream, some with little steps, some with long.” Edward Lear in Albania (London 2008), p. 68. EDL012 - Edward Lear: Shkodra (Scutari) in northern Albania. Albanians sitting beside the Drin River, with the fortress of Shkodra in the background, 4 October 1848. “A small bit of salt cheese, and some very bad wine, was all the food I could obtain; but the loss of luncheon was compensated for by the increasing interest of the costumes of the peasantry; their scarlet and crimson capotes, short coarse kilts, long black hair, dark faces, and immoderately long pistols, gave them an air of romance and savageness I had not yet seen.” Edward Lear in Albania  (London 2008), p. 62.