Rowland, J.C., Welsh costumes
John Cambrian Rowland (1818 - 1890), sketched women in Welsh costume and painted some of them in a group which was published as a print in 1848. Very similar prints were produced by other artists and publishers during the early 1850s.
Rowland was born in Lledrod, Cardiganshire and moved to Caernarfon where he worked as an art teacher from the 1850s until his death.
A number of his original sketches and watercolours were given by his son to the National Museum of Wales.
There are at least five editions of his 'WELSH COSTUMES / Errand girl, Farmer's daughter, Market woman, Winter costume, Llanarth girl'. The first might have been set in Ceredigion (there is a village called Llanarth in Ceredigion but there is another in north Wales). The print features a church tower with a spire which some believe represents Llanbadarn Fawr, near Aberystwyth but there are other churches in north Ceredigion with towers.
(1) Church on left: WELSH COSTUMES / FIRST SERIES / Errand girl, Farmer's daughter, Market woman, Winter costume, Llanarth girl. Day & Son Lithrs. to The Queen / J.C. Rowland Del. / Drawn on stone by J McGahey Liverpool / Published by T. Catherall, Eastgate Row, Chester. Sepr 21st 1848
(2) Another version: has Chester & Bangor
(3) Another version: Published by H. Humphreys, Castle Square, Carnarvon
(4) Church in centre: Title: WELSH COSTUMES / published by T. Catherall, Chester, JCR [the artist’s initials J.C. Rowland] inscribed on the pitcher.
(5) Small version: Title: WELSH COSTUMES / ERRAND GIRL FARMER'S DAUGHTER MARKET WOMAN WINTER COSTUME LLANARTH GIRL / J.C. Rowland delt / W. Banks, W., sc Edinbr / Published by T. Catherall of Chester.
The coloured versions of these are reasonably consistent, especially the Llanarth girl who is shown wearing a blue gown and green skirt, both of which are rarely recorded elsewhere.
