Cromek set sail for Corfu in July 1834 and reached Athens that August, he noted in his journal on 23 August 1834, (T. Cromek, Reminiscences at Home and Abroad 1812-1855), 'During the mornings of these days I was engaged in drawing the Temple of Jupiter Olympius, the Erectheium, etc. I was delighted by everything I saw at Athens, the colour of the buildings being much richer, and less dark that that of the ruins in Rome. As specimens of architecture, they are universally considered perfect. I certainly worked very hard when able, and I am astonished at the number of sketches, large and small which I made in the course of a fortnight or very little more'. He returned to Athens again in 1845. Cromek painted several versions of this watercolour, one of which, dated 1848, was also in the collection of Harewood House and was sold in these Rooms, 9 July 1985, lot 188.