This extremely important series of plates marks a turning point in English engraving history. This is the FIRST SERIES OF AQUATINT ENGRAVINGS published in England. Paul Sandby described the process as “A mode of imitating drawing on copper plates”. Despite claiming its invention it was in fact discovered by the Frenchman Jean Baptiste Le Prince and Sandby learned of it on his travels on the continent. He was however the first to use the process in England and he even improved on it. This, the “XII Views in Aquatinta”, was followed the next year by a similar series of views of North Wales. This first work is dedicated to Charles Greville, from whom he first learnt of the aquatint process, and Sir Joseph Banks, his patron. Indeed Peter Hughes found evidence of the fact that Sandby travelled with Sir Joseph Banks in Wales between 25 June and 16 August 1773. This is to be found in a hand-written account of the tour by John Lightfoot which survives in the Department of Botany at the British Museum.

Sandby (1725-1809) was described by Gainsborough as “the only man of genius who has painted real views from nature in this country”. He has been call “the father of the English watercolour” because he made so many technical advances, educated many talented students and produced so many wonderful paintings. Sandby was taught by his elder brother Thomas Sandby, an architect, who helped him secure a post as a military draughtsman in London. He was already etching at the early age of seventeen. These were sold through his relative William Sandby. In 1753 he took up lodging with his brother in Windsor Park and began a career as a drawing master, painter and engraver to the nobility. He quickly gained the attention of Sir Joseph Banks who became one of his most important patrons, and that of the Royal family. Much of his early work is of Windsor and surrounding countryside. He was a supporter of the founding of the Royal Academy in 1768. Early issues according to Abbey were always issued uncoloured. To hide the deterioration of the plate later issues were sometimes coloured. Abbey Scenery 511; Hughes “Paul Sandby’s Tour of Wales with Joseph Banks”; Prideaux “Aquatint Engraving” pp. 98-109.