From the 1770s, hundreds of travellers and artists came to Wales in search of the picturesque, and many kept records of what they saw. By this time, the costume worn by some Welsh women was recognised as being unique to Wales.
These descriptions and illustrations provide us with idealised and sentimental images of working women at the end of the 18th century, just as Wales was becoming the most industrialised country in the world.

This exhibition took place at the National Library of Wales between 21 June and 4 October 2008.