Paul Sandby Munn O.W.S. (1773-1845) - Conwy Castle, Evening

Paul Sandby Munn was the godson and pupil of the eminent watercolourist and namesake Paul Sandby. Munn had a similar style to Sandby and also chose to specialise in watercolour painting. He was heavily involved in the the creation of the Old Watercolour Society (now known as the RWS) and was a pioneering member of Sketching Society (1799-1851) where he was a member of each of the three variations of the group. His pupil Francis Stevens was furthermore involved in the Chalon Sketching Society.
 
Munn visited Wales in 1802 with his friend John Sell Cotman, but this work shows he visited the country at least two years earlier. The artist's works are generally topographical and have a picturesque nature to them. Munn clearly was enjoying this early evening view of Conwy Castle and has skillfully depicted it in monochrome. The castle was an important composition for any artist in this period and was painted previously by Turner, Girtin and Sandby.
 
Medium: monochrome watercolour on paper, signed lower centre 'PS Munn 1800' (hidden below mount), 27.2 x 37.7cm, mounted. Further inscribed verso by artist ' Conway - Caernarvonshire - Evening' [sic].
 
Provenance: private collection, Sussex
 
Condition report: some time staining and fading. There are white marks on the paper showing small loses, these are particularly obvious in the sky. Please see photographs.