Pembrokeshire Antiquarian

Two rare works depicting Pembrokeshire landmarks by antiquarian Charles Norris (1779–1858), whose work is of importance in recording buildings that have subsequently been lost.

Having been born in London, the reason for Norris's move to Wales in 1800 is unknown. It is speculated that time spent in Norwich in his early years attracted him to the Flemish architecture at that time still extant in Tenby. In 1810 his ambitious book 'The Architectural Antiquities of Wales' was published, and two years later his 'Etchings of Tenby' followed.

Little is known about his connections with his contemporaries, but his portrait of John Linnell, now at Tenby Museum, and his mention is Joseph Farington's diary, indicate that he was known to London artists, despite never exhibiting at the London institutions.