Almada, Lisbon

Holland travelled extensively during his lifetime. He was commissioned by the owner of the 'Landscape Annual' series to visit Portugal in 1837. He produced a number of drawings there that were later used to illustrate 'The Tourist in Portugal' by W H Harrison, the 'Annual' published in 1839. Holland arrived in Lisbon in June 1837 and stayed there until early autumn that same year.

This view appears to be a quick sketch drawn and painted on the spot. It was made from the hotel where Holland was staying. It is dated 'June 1837' and annotated by the artist with the note 'Almada from Mrs Belem's Lisbon'. Mrs Belem kept hotels in Lisbon and nearby Sintra in Portugal and in Seville in Spain.