Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)
Soldiers in formation, Naples, 1847
Hand-colored salt print from a calotype negative, spring 1846
15.3 x 19.9 cm, mounted flush on card
Schaaf 4465

The Reverend Calvert Jones learned to make photographs from his friend William Henry Fox Talbot and they occasionally collaborated.  Jones brought his experience as a skilled draftsman and marine painter to Talbot’s negative/positive calotype process.  

His hand colored salt print, Soldiers in formation, Naples expertly fuses his photographic skills and artistic talent with his training as a watercolorist.  In 1847 Jones had the honor of showing some of his hand-colored salt prints to the Queen, who much admired them and kept one for the Royal Collection.

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)
"View in the Late Mr. Frere's Garden, Valletta" Malta, 1846
Salt print from a calotype negative
16.8 x 21.2 cm on 18.9 x 22.8 cm paper
Numbered "4." and titled in the negative. Inscribed "LA694" in black ink on verso
Schaaf 2909

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)
Street scene with Swansea Castle, Wales, circa 1846
Salt print from a calotype negative
16.2 x 19.7 cm on 19.4 x 24.3 cm paper
Schaaf 2966

Swansea, on the south coast of Wales, was a natural place for Jones to photograph. His family had its roots there and he often lived there himself. Its active harbor had provided subjects for his watercolor brushes for years, and he continued to harvest them when the camera became another artistic tool for him. The title comes from a print in the Horblit Collection, one that was stamped and undoubtedly offered for sale by Henneman.

Jones's treatment of urban areas is fascinating. His streets are rarely populated (although he sometimes added figures to photographs that he hand-colored). His framing is tight and sure and strong perspectives dominate. Here, rising behind Swansea Square, the Swansea Castle dominates the skyline, its clock revealing that it is two in the afternoon. The awnings of the shops are extended, perhaps to ward off the glare of the afternoon sun, but more likely to guard against the rainfall that is a feature of the coastal area. There appear to be recent water markings on the cobblestones. W. Sibbering's grocery shop is one of several that welcome our notice. It may well have had additional meaning for Jones, for it was here that the Swansea Philosophical Society held its early meetings.

Commanding attention in the middle of this composition is a gaslight, a relatively recent amenity that made urban living both more attractive and safe. Whether Jones was intrigued by these, or merely accepted them, is unclear, but they feature prominently and unashamedly in many of his cityscapes.

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)

Two ladies and a gentleman, seated on steps, likely at Veranda, early 1850s

Salt print from a glass negative

7.6 x  x 10.2 cm

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)

Two young boys with dog, 1850s

Albumen print from a glass negative

10.0 x 12.2 cm on 10.3 x 13.1 cm paper

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)

Gardener standing in doorway, circa 1850

Salt print from a calotype negative

10.9 x 8.8 cm

This frontal portrait with profile reflected in the window was probably taken at the lovely Heathfield Lodge, Jones' ancestral home. 

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)
Study of sailing vessels, 1830
Watercolour
16.3 x 20.4 cm
Signed and dated "Calvert R. Jones 1830" in brown ink

Calvert Jones trained under the drawing master James Duffield Harding, the teacher of John Ruskin. Among Jones's highly accomplished marine sketches and paintings is his 1830 watercolor Study of sailing vessels, which beautifully captures a sloop tacking into the wind.

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)

Anne Harriet Jones, early 1850s

Salt print from a glass negative

10.0 x 8.1 cm

Anne was Jones' first wife and she took an active interest in the progress of photographic art.

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)
"Pont. S. Jean. Bruges", circa 1854-1855
Calotype negative
18.8 x 23.5 cm on 19.4 x 23.8 cm paper
Indistinct watermark. Titled in ink on verso
Schaaf 4173

Rev. Calvert Richard Jones (Welsh, 1802-1877)
Portrait of a lady, possibly a domestic servant, in a striped dress, late 1840s
Salt print from a calotype negative
11.1 x 8.8 cm