Paul Sandby

Paul Sandby, (1731 – 7 November 1809) was an English mapmaker and painter who specialised in landscape art. Along with his older brother Thomas Sandby, he was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768.

Life and work

Paul Sandby was born in Nottingham, and baptised there in 1731, although his date of birth has traditionally been given as 1725. In 1745 he moved to London When in Edinburgh, he started sketching and drawing the landscapes of the city and was said to have to carried a copy of Theatrum Scotia in his pockets. One such sketching in the form of engraving, West View of the City of Edinburgh, is now displayed in the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

He left his post with the survey in 1751, and spent some time living with his brother, who had been appointed Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park. There he assisted his brother, and made a series of drawings of the castle, the town, and its neighborhood, which were purchased by Sir Joseph Banks. He returned to the attack in 1762, and produced other satirical work sporadically throughout his career. On the formation of the Royal Academy in the same year he was one of the 28 founder-members nominated by George III. He often served on its council, and contributed to all but eight of the exhibitions held between 1769 and 1809. He was described in his obituaries as "the father of modern landscape painting in watercolors".

Gallery