Celebrating the life and work of one of the world’s greatest photographers

Mon, 06 Oct 08 11:45:00

 

The Welsh Way of Life, a new collection of photographs taken by one of Wales' greatest Victorian photographers, John Thomas, has just been published by the Library and Y Lolfa. He is described as “one of the world's greatest photographers” by the head of the Collection Care Department at The National Library of Wales and the author of a new book, Iwan Meical.

 

John Thomas, a Welshman from Cellan, Ceredigion, took photographs from all areas of Wales during the latter half of the 19th century, after starting his career by inviting several prominent preachers to sit for him. The venture was successful and by 1867 Thomas was confident enough to start his own photographic business, “The Cambrian Gallery”. He continued with the work for almost 40 years, travelling the length and breadth of Wales, taking photographs of landscapes as well as portraits. When he retired from business a collection of over 3000 of his negatives was bought by Sir O M Edwards to illustrate the magazine Cymru. Today the negatives, which O M Edwards bought from John Thomas, form part of the photographic collection of the National Library of Wales.

 

According to the author, “In the work of John Thomas we have a personal, emotional and lively account. Not only is he an important Welsh photographer, but is one of the world's greatest photographers.”

 

Hen Ffordd Gymreig o Fyw / A Welsh Way of Life is a bilingual account of the life and work of John Thomas. A collection of 130 photographs has been brought together for this unique volume.

 

Iwan Meical says: “His work is inextricably associated with Wales of that period, when great revolutionary changes were occurring…and during an age when photographic portraits, showing people at their most respectable, were much sought after, John Thomas was the exception because he chose to photograph ordinary labourers and even tramps and drunks.”

 

Through his photographs of fairs and ports, as well as chapels and landscapes, we have a new insight into Wales and the Welsh people of the Victorian age.

 

For more information contact the Library shop on 01970 632 548