Lot 178: William Pars, A.R.A. (London 1742-1782 Rome)

William Pars, A.R.A. (London 1742-1782 Rome) A view of Mogadino on Lake Maggiore, Switzerland pencil, pen and grey ink and watercolour on the artist's wash-line mount 6 ¼ x 8 3/8 in. (15.9 x 21.2 cm.)

15.9 x 21.2 cm.

Edward Basil Jupp; Christie's, London, 6 May 1884, part of lot 230 (76 gns to Waller). Thomas William Waller. Elizabeth Stauffer Moore and by descent to Elizabeth Richardson Simmons; Christie's, London, 12 November 1968, lot 139 (550 gns to Spink). with Leger Galleries, London, May 1975. with Colnaghi's, London.

In the company of his patron Lord Palmerston, Pars' 1770 tour from Switzerland to Italy was the first to record the dramatic scenery of the continent. Artist's such as J. R. Cozens and Francis Towne were to follow his example. On Pars' return, he exhibited eight works at the Royal Academy, works which Binyan called the 'earliest revelation of the high Alps to the untravelled English'.