Background
Pars was born in London, the son of a metal engraver.
Pars was born in London, the son of a metal engraver.
He studied at "Shipley"s Drawing School" (in the Strand), Saint Martin"s Lane Academy, and also in the Duke of Richmond"s Gallery.
In 1764 he obtained the Society of Arts" medal for an historical painting. In June 1764, he was selected by the Dilettanti Society to accompany, as draughtsman, Richard Chandler and Nicholas Revett to Greece. The result was published in "Ionian Antiquities" (4 volumes) which was illustrated from Pars"s drawings.
Pars returned to England on 2 December 1766, and soon after accompanied Henry Temple, 2nd Viscount Palmerston to the continent, making drawings in Switzerland, the Tyrol, and Rome.
In 1769 he contributed seven views from Greece to the first exhibition of the Royal Academy. He was elected an associate in 1770, and in the following year he sent eight European views, chiefly of Switzerland and the Tyrol, together with one portrait.
He contributed regularly (chiefly portraits) to the academy exhibitions till 1776. A selection of Pars" Greek drawings was engraved by William Byrne for the Dilettanti Society.
Five of his Swiss drawings, including the "Mer de Glace were engraved by William Woollett.
And several other drawings were aquatinted by Paul Sandby. Pars" elder brother Henry Pars (1734–1806) was a draughtsman and metal engraver, becoming the Principal of "Shipley"s Drawing School".
In 1761, at the age of 17, he exhibited a portrait and miniatures at the Incorporated Society of Artists, and became a member of the Free Society of Artists in 1763.