Lot 662: Reverend Calvert Richard Jones (1804-1877), after

Reverend Calvert Richard Jones (1804-1877), after Penry Williams TRAVELLERS IN THE ROMAN CAMPAGNA Watercolour, inscribed verso 15.5 x 21cm Calvert Richard Jones (c. 1804-1877) mathematician, painter, musician, scientist, photographer and clergyman, was one of Wales' great unsung photographic pioneers, whose work shows a rare artistic vision and great skill. After the announcement of Fox-Talbot's discovery of photography in 1839, Calvert Jones became an enthusiastic and imaginative exponent of the laborious and expensive daguerreotype process and took, in 1841, what is believed to be the first photograph taken in Wales, an image of Margam Castle, near Port Talbot, which is now held by the National Library of Wales. Jones was, however, an artist before he was a photographer. His careful drawings and watercolours show a strong sense of colour and form, with his mathematical training leading to a great concern for correct perspective. He painted throughout his life, mainly along the Swansea coast, although he did travel and sketch extensively throughout Europe. His work was neglected for nearly one hundred years after his death, and only now is his genius beginning to be recognised.