View of Cardiff Castle, the church and part of the town on the approach from Cowbridge

'View of Cardiff Castle, the church and part of the town on the approach from Cowbridge. This castle, the property of the Marquis of Bute, has in late years undergone great alterations which have much changed the appearance & plan of the original pile. The tower in which Robt Duke of Normandy died is unalterd. Glamorganshire.'

John 'Warwick' Smith (1749-1831) was amongst the most famous watercolourists of his day. Between 1784 and 1806 he frequently visited Wales and became increasingly enchanted by the country. The National Library's collections contain 162 of his watercolour works which are based on his travels in Wales.