John 'Warwick' Smith was introduced to the Earl of Warwick at an early stage in his artistic career, as a result of which the Earl sent Smith to Italy in 1776 and supported him there for five years. During this period Smith sketched and travelled a good deal with artists such as Francis Towne and Thomas Jones. After his return to Britain in 1781 he worked up the sketches that he had made abroad into exhibition pieces and undertook frequent tours in Wales and the Lake District. In 1795 Smith made his ninth trip to Wales. This watercolour is inscribed "26 July 1795 View from the Peak of Snowdon, looking to the Northwards, over the island of Anglesea, and the Holyhead Mountain-and to the sea beyond."

Text by: Department of Art, National Museums & Galleries of Wales