John Smith was the son of a gardener whose employers, the artistic Gilpin family, educated young Smith and trained him as a watercolour artist.

Gaining the patronage of the 2nd Earl of Warwick was a major boost to his career and allowed him to travel to Italy, thereafter he was known as John “Warwick” Smith.

A frequent visitor to Pembrokeshire he produced a number of fine watercolours including this excellent example of Haverfordwest Priory which he painted in 1792.