MOSES GRIFFITH (CARNARVONSHIRE 1747-1819 WHITFORD, FLINTSHIRE)

Moses Griffith was borh in Carnarvonshire, and at the age of 22 was employed by Thomas Pennant (1726-1798), squire of Downing, Flintshire, in a patronage arrangement which would continue with Pennant's son until the artist's death. Thomas Pennant had scientific and antiquarian interests, and Griffith was employed to travel with him on his tours and record anything of interest. Although Pennant employed a number of painters and engravers to work on his publications, Griffith held an unusual position, being a member of the household, who only undertook work for other patrons with Pennant's permission. The two made several tours of the British Isles together and Pennant published accounts of these, accompanied by engravings of Griffith's watercolours. As a result, Griffith became well-known, and the National Gallery of Wales, and the National Library of Wales both hold many of his watercolours. Griffith visited Yorkshire in 1773 and 1777, and the present drawing must date from one of these tours. A companion drawing was sold by Lowell Libson in 2003.