Paul Sandby The Artist

Paul Sandby was born in Nottingham in 1731. He started work as a draughtsman1 at the Tower of London at an early age. In 1747 he became the chief draughtsman for the Ordnance Survey of Scotland, making detailed maps for the army. Returning to London in 1751, Sandy made his name during the next twenty years teaching drawing to the wealthy, painting watercolours of Windsor Castle, and producing engravings. In 1768 he helped to found the Royal Academy of Arts.


Paul Sandby made many sketches while on his tour of North Wales.
An Artist Sketching, Paul Sandby or Francis Cotes.
© Paul Mellon Collection

A sociable character and a versatile artist, Sandby was a popular figure in the art world. He also attracted the interest of wealthy art lovers. Probably his greatest patron was Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, a wealthy Welsh landowner. In 1770 he started teaching Sir Watkin to draw, a fashionable pastime for the aristocracy. Sir Watkin paid Sandby five shillings a lesson and Sandby charged two guineas a day for the inconvenience of leaving London to come north to Wynnstay, Ruabon.


Overton Bridge, Paul Sandby, aquatint, 1776.
© Llyfrgell Genedlaethol - National Library of Wales

In the summer of 1771, Sandby was invited back to Wynnstay. At his peak artistically, Sandby was about to embark on a tour that would transform his career and attitudes to art and the landscape of North Wales.

1 a draughtsman makes technically accurate drawings and plans.

Paul Sandby, The Artist

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Related links
Introduction
The Artist
The Patron
Paul Sandby Career Portfolio
Art & Ideas 1700-1800
Touring North Wales
Touring North Wales Continued
Wrexham Geritage & Culture