Market day at Aberistwith

In 1797 the author Henry Wigstead toured Wales with "my friend Mr Rowlandson". It is likely that Thomas Rowlandson was employed not only as a companion but as the artist for a project to publish a short tour through Wales. Wigstead published his volume 'Remarks on a tour to North and South Wales' in 1799 with 22 aquatints mainly after Rowlandson's drawings now at the Library, but also from examples of his own drawings executed in a harsh and rather slavish hand.

The series of drawings are interesting because they illustrate not only the grand sites of Chepstow Castle or Pont Aberglaslyn but also little known village scenes such as the view at Newcastle Emlyn. Rowlandson's love of activity is clearly evident in the depiction of Aberystwyth. As a collection these drawings provide a coherent pictorial account of rural Wales in the summer of 1797 through the eyes of an artist who was able to combine Picturesque landscape with accurate observation.