National Gallery - Swansea Connections

 “Life is a blank canvas, and you need to throw paint on it you can” a quote used by Danny Kaye, the American actor.

In this blog we will be looking at the Swansea people, who are associated with the city and have portraits at the National Gallery, London.

But first, let’s look at the history of the National Gallery.

Today 2024, the National Gallery houses over 2,300 paintings dating from the 13th century to the present day. This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the formation of the National Gallery during 1824. 

During the late 18th century, saw several privately royal and princely art collections across Europe being nationalized.  1779, the Bavarian royal collection was opened to the public, followed by Uffizi Gallery, during 1789, in France the Louvre opened during 1793.  Meanwhile, the Royal Collection in Great Britain was still under the sovereign’s possession. There was an opportunity for Frederick North’s Tory Government to purchase an art collection during 1777, when Sir Robert Walpole’s descendants put his collection up for sale.  Walpole had died during 1745.  John Wikes MP argued that the government should purchase this collection, he also suggested that a ‘a noble gallery’ should be built situated in the gardens of the British Museum.  Sadly, nothing came of Wikes’ suggestions and 20 years later, in 1797, Catherine the Great purchased the entire collection.  Today, this collection can be found at the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.

The Orleans Collections, containing 150 paintings were brought to London, were put up for sale, and the and this also was failed by the William Pitt the Younger’s Tory Government, even William and the King George III.  Twenty paintings from this collection are now in the Gallery.  The following year, 1799, the British Government were offered a read-made collection from dealer Noel Desenfans.  Noel and his partner Sir Francis Bourgeois had assembled a collection before the Polish King Stanislaus II Augustus before 1795, when the Third Partition of Poland was signed marking Poland’s Independence. The offer to the Government was declined and Bourgeois bequeathed the collection to his old school, Dulwich College.

1814 the first purpose-built art gallery was opened, the Dulwich Picture Gallery.  Noel Desenfans, married Margaret Morris in 1776.  Margaret was the sister of Sir John Morris of Claremont, Glamorganshire.  The wealth from the marriage allowed Desenfnas to entre the art trade. 

Following the failed purchase of Walpole’s collections, there were numerous calls from many artists including James Barry and John Flaxman, to establish a National Gallery.  1805 the British Institution was founded, by a group of aristocratic specialists.  They tried to address the situation of a British school could flourish if they had access to European paintings.  Members of the group themselves lent works during the summer months, often this was more often commonplace. Eventually Sir George Beaumont, Bt, would play a major role in the National Gallery foundation when he offered a gift of 16 paintings.

1823, the Russian-born émigré banker, John Julius Angerstein’s art collection came on the market.  The collection numbered 38 paintings.  The House of Commons were proposed by the Whig politician, George Agar Ellis, they the Government should purchase the collection.  The appeal was given more impetus by Beaumont’s offer which had two conditions – that the government should purchase the collection and a suitable building sourced.  However, an unexpected repayment of war debt by Austria for £57,000 allowing the Government to purchase the collection.

10th May 1824, the first National Gallery opened at Angerstenin’s former townhouse, No.100 Pall Mall.  1826, Beaumont’s works were added to the collection, followed by 35 paintings belonging to Rev. William Holwell Carr.  The Keeper of the Paintings was William Seguier.

No.100 soon became overcrowded and hot in comparison with the Louvre in Paris.  Ellis, who was a trustee of the Gallery.  Briefly the Gallery moved to No.105.  This property in turn was demolished for the opening of the road to Carlton House Terrace.

1832, construction on William Wilkins building on the northern half of the site of the old Royal Mews in Crossing Cross, after the 1820s transformation of the southern half into Trafalgar Square.  It finally opened in 1838, and it is here that the National Gallery can be found today.

So, let’s look at those paintings and portraits that can be found at the Gallery that have a connection with Swansea.  Lesser people will have a little more than the well-known ones. 

So, let’s start at no.1.

  1.  Kingsley Amis (1922 – 1995), Novelist – sitter of 32 portraits (1953, 1957, 1970s, 1973, 1975, 1956, 1956, 1957, 1950s, 1950s, 1950s, 1950s, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1966, 1966, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1970, 1974, 1974, 1978, 1978, 1985, 1987, 1994, 1988)
  2. Sally Myfanwy Amis (1954 – 2000), daughter of the above – sitter of 1 portrait (1956).  Violet Nearing a character in Martin Amis’s The Pregnant Widow, 2010, is based on Sally.  Sally who had a problem with alcoholism during her life she suffered at the age of 40 a stroke and six years later died of an inflection, 2000.
  3. Donald Anderson, Baron Anderson of Swansea (1939 - ) – sitter of 6 portraits (1969, 1969, 1969, 1969, 1969, 1969).  A Labour politician and one of the longest serving Members of Parliament, have served for 34 years.  Since 2005, served as a Labour peer in the House of Lords.
  4. Stanley Stephen Awbery (1888 – 1969) – sitter of 6 portraits (1963, 1963, 1963, 1963, 1963, 1963, 1963). A trade unionist and a Labour Party politician, who served as MP for Bristol Central from 1945 to 1964. 
  5. Frederick Jessel Benson (1875 – 1930) – sitter of 1 portrait (1909). Financier and Director of Swansea Harbour.     
  6. Edward Latham Bevan (1861 – 1934) – sitter of 2 portraits (1915, 1942).  Bishop of Swansea.  The first Bishop of Swansea after the office was created during 1923 after the founding of the diocese.  The area covers the south coast of Gower to north into mid-Wales.  Bevan, served from 1923 to 1934.
  7. (John) William Bowen (1876 – 1965) – sitter of 5 portraits (Unknown date, 1931, 1951, 1951, 1951).  Politician.  Unsuccessfully to become a Member of Parliament for the Labour for Newport, Monmouthshire during the 1918 General Election. Tried to stand for the Newport again at the 1922 by-election and at the 1922, 1923 and 1924 General Election.  At the time of the 1929 General Elections stood for Crewe, where Bowen was successful.  However, lost it during 1931 and failed to win it again during 1935.  1940, Bowen was elected Chairman of the London County Council for Wandsworth Central and lost the seat during 1949.  Knighted during the 1953 Coronation Honours List.
  8. Gwendolen Jane Griffiths – sitter of 3 portraits (1918, 1918, 1918).  Wife of Reginald Brade, civil servant. 
  9. Rob Brydon (1965 - ) – sitter of 2 portraits (2008, 2010).  Actor and comedian.
  10. Violet Averil Margaret Campbell (1871 – 1943) – sitter of 8 portraits (1920, 1920, 1920, 1922, 1922, 1922, 1922, 1922). Daughter of Henry Hussey Vivian, 1st Baron of Swansea of Singleton and Averil Beaumont.  Married Colonel Douglas Campbell.
  11. Brian Curvis (1937 – 2012) – sitter of 1 portrait (Unknown date). Boxer.    Born Brian Nancurvis but fought under the name of Brian Curvis was active from 1959 to 1966.  Fought as Welterweight becoming a champion during 1960.  Retired and is the only welterweight to have won two Lonsdale Belts outright.  1960, Brian was named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year.
  12. Ifor Davies (1910 – 1982) – sitter of 7 portraits (1978, 1978, 1978, 1978, 1978, 1978, 1978). Politician; MP for Gower. Prior to being an MP, Davies served as councillor for Glamorgan County Council.  Acted as an election agent for David Grenfell MP.  Davies served as MP for Gower, from 1959 until his death 1982.
  13. Russell T. Davies (1963 - ) – sitter of 3 portraits (2006, 2006, 2006). Television producer and scriptwriter.
  14. Spencer Davis (1939 – 2020) – sitter of 3 portraits (1965, 1966, 1966).  Musician; member of The Spencer Davis Group
  15. Lewis Llewellyn Dillwyn (1814 – 1892) – sitter of 2 portraits (1860s-1870s, 1882). Politician and industrialist. As a Liberal MP, Dillwyn served for 37 years.
  16. Edgar Evans (1876 – 1912) – sitter of 2 portraits (1911, 1912). Polar explorer; member of British Antarctic Expedition, 1910 – 1913.
  17. Brian Hilton Flowers (1924 – 2010) – sitter of 3 portraits (1967, 1970, 1991). Physicist.  Flowers was born at Blackburn, Lancashire but was educated at Bishop Gore, where he was encouraged his interest into physics.  After graduating from Cambridge, Flowers became a physicist. Knighted during 1969, and then from 1979 made a life peer with the title Baron Flowers.
  18. John Deffett Francis (1815 – 1901) – sitter of 1 portrait (1850s).  Artist and collector
  19. Mike Gibbins (1949 – 2005) – sitter of 1 portrait (1970).  Drummer and songwriter. Member of ‘Badfinger’
  20. John Jones Jenkins (1835 – 1915) – sitter of 6 portraits (1895, 1895, 1895, 1895, 1899, 1910). Welsh politician and tin-plate manufacturer.  Jenkins was the co-founder and manager of the Beaufort Tinplate Works, Morriston in 1859, and chief manager and partner until 1869.  Jenkins was Justice of the Peace and Mayor of Swansea three times.  Knighted during 1882.  During the same year was elected MP for Carmarthen.  1906 was made a peerage with the title Baron Glantawe.
  21. James Henry Govier (1910 – 1974) – sitter of 1 portrait (1925).  Artist
  22. Francis Wallace Grenfell (1841 – 1925) – sitter of 12 portraits (1898, 1889, 1889, 1919, 1889, 1919, 1919, 1919, 1919, 1919, 1919, 1919).  Field Marshal
  23. Charles Seymour Grenfell (1839 – 1924) – sitter of 1 portrait (1862).  Copper merchant, banker and Justice of the Peace.
  24. David Rhys Grenfell (1881 – 1968) – sitter of 17 portraits (1922, 1922, 1924, 1926, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1941, 1949, 1949, 1949, 1954). Miner and politician. Grenfell was the Labour Member of Parliament for Gower from 1922 until 1959. Grenfell was the first Labour member to hold the title of Father of the House, during 1953.
  25. William Robert Grove (1811 – 1896) – sitter of 11 portraits (Unknown Date, 1850s, 1860s, 1865, 1873, 1873, 1877, 1877, 1887, 1887, 1890s). Natural philosopher and Judge
  26. Howell Arthur Gwynne (1865 – 1950) – sitter of 3 portraits (1914, 1924, 1938). Journalist and Editor.  Gwynne was the editor of the Morning Post, from 1911 until 1937.
  27. Pete Ham (1945 – 1975) – sitter of 1 portrait (1970).  Singer, songwriter, guitarist. Member of ‘Badfinger’
  28. William George Hardie (1878 – 1950) – sitter of 5 portraits (1928, 1928, 1928, 1928, 1934). Bishop of Jamaica and Archbishop of West Indies.  Hardie, following his education and being ordained during 1902, was the vicar at Holy Trinity, Swansea.  1928, was appointed Assistant Bishop of Jamaica before being promoted three years later to be its Diocesan.
  29. Julian Tudor Hart (1927 – 2018) – sitter of 1 portrait (1996). Physician and epidemiologist.  Hart was born in London but settled in Glyncorrwg.  As a doctor, Hart concentrated on studying patient’s lifestyles, and what caused them to be ill. He worked to make their lives healthier.
  30. William Hewson – sitter of 1 portrait (1846). Chancellor of St. David’s and vicar of St. Mary, Swansea
  31. Donald Holroyde Hey (1904 – 1987) – sitter of 1 portrait (1955). Professor of Chemistry. Hey, was notable for his paper proposing that the decomposition of benzoyl peroxide gave rise to free phenyl radicals.
  32. Averil Vivian (1930 - ) – sitter of 3 portraits (1949, 1949, 1949).  Daughter of Odo Vivian, 3rd Baron of Swansea and the wife of Alexander William Houston
  33. Alfred Janes (1911 – 1999) – sitter of 1 portrait (1967).  Artist
  34. John Gwyn Jeffreys (1809 – 1885) – sitter of 1 portrait (1855).  Conchologist
  35. William Albert Jenkins (1878 – 1968) – sitter of 6 portraits (1922, 1938, 1938, 1938, 1938, 1938).  Politician, shipbroker and coal merchant.  Jenkins, set up his own business, W. A. Jenkins & Co., wholesale coal and coke factors and shipbrokers.  Elected during the 1922 General Election to serve as the Liberal MP for Breconshire and Radnorshire, until 1924.  Served as a member of Swansea Borough Council from 1924 until 1954 and was the Swansea Mayor between 1947 and 1949.
  36. Peter Johns (1930 – 2017) – sitter of 1 portrait (1973).  Photographer
  37. Alfred Ernest Jones (1879 – 1958) – sitter of 1 portrait (1938).  Psychoanalyst
  38. Allan Jones (1947 - ) – sitter of 1 portrait (1969).  Saxopohist for the Amen Corner.
  39. Lewis Jones (1884 – 1968) – sitter of 10 portraits (1937, 1937, 1945, 1945, 1945, 1946, 1946, 1946, 1946, 1946). Liberal politician; Member of Parliament for Swansea West, serving from 1931 until 1945.
  40. Dorothy Winifred Davies (1891 - ) – sitter of 6 portraits (1910, 1910, 1910, 1910, 1910, 1910).  Actress.  Wife of Lieutenant G. Klombies. 
  41. Mervyn Levy (1915 – 1996) – sitter of 3 portraits (1938, 1950, 1982).  Artist and Critic
  42. Lillian May Davies (1915 – 2013) – sitter of 1 portrait (1953). Fashion model; former wife of Walter Ivor Craig and wife of Prince Bertil of Sweden
  43. John Talbot Dillwyn-Llewellyn (1836 – 1927) – sitter of 2 portraits (1899, 1900).  Politician, Businessman and Landowner
  44. John Lord (1847 – 1915) – sitter of 2 portraits (1890s, 1907). Bishop of Swansea. Served from 1890 until his death, 1915.
  45. Amanada Ursula Georgina Vivian (1958 - ) – sitter of 6 portraits (1976, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1976, 1976). Daughter of John Hamilton Hussey Vivian, 4th Baron of Swansea.
  46. William Henry Mainwaring (1884 – 1971) – sitter of 2 portraits (1935, 1935).  Politician, coal miner, lecturer and trade unionist.
  47. George Manning (1887 – 1976) – sitter of 3 portraits (1947, 1947, 1947). Mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, where he served from 1958 to 1968.  Manning served a total of 34 years on the Christchurch City Council.
  48. William John Molloy (1918 – 2001) – sitter of 2 portraits (1965, 1965). Politician, MP for Ealing, serving from 1964 to 1979.  From 1976 to 1977, Molloy was a Member of the European Parliament.  After losing his seat, in 1979, Molloy was made life peer taking the title of Baron Molloy, of Ealing in Greater London.
  49. Cedric Morris (1889 – 1982) – sitter of 3 portraits (1920s, 1920). Painter and horticulturist.
  50. Percy Morris (1893 – 1967) – sitter of 5 portraits (unknown date, 1947, 1947, 1950, 1950).  Railway clerk, trade unionist, Mayor of Swansea and Labour politician; MP for Swansea West, serving 1945 until 1959.
  51. Richard (‘Beau’) Nash (1674 – 1762) – sitter of 4 portraits (1740, 1740, 1740, 1761). Man of fashion
  52. Alun Bennett Oldfield-Davies (1905 – 1988) – sitter of 2 portraits (1951, 1951). Controller, Welsh BBC. Oldfield-Davies joined the BBC during 1937, as a school organiser.  During the Second World War, was an administrative officer based in Wales, but later took up office in London.  1945 was made director and this changed during 1948 as Controller of Wales, remaining in post until 1967.
  53. John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford (1490 – 1540) – sitter of 2 portraits (1724, 1780).
  54. William Thomas Rowland Powell (1815 – 1878) – sitter of 1 portrait (1861). Lieutenant-Colonel and Politician, served as the Conservative MP for Cardiganshire from 1859 until 1865.
  55. Ceri Richards (1903 – 1971) – siter of 12 portraits (1934, 1960, 1960, 1960, 1963-1964, 1964, 1971, 1971, 1971, 1971, 1971, 1971).  Artist
  56. Robert Richardson-Gardner (1827 – 1898) – sitter of 2 portraits (1877, 1877). Barrister, militia officer and politician; MP for Windsor, serving from 1874 until 1890. 
  57. (Edward) Marley Samson (1869 – 1949) – sitter of 5 portraits (1919, 1919, 1919, 1932, 1943). Stipendiary magistrate of Swansea.
  58. Philip Sayer (1947 - ) – producer of 23 portraits (1979, 1980s, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1984, 1984, 1984, 1985, 1985, 1986, 1986, 1987, 1987, 1989, 1989, 1989, 1990, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1994, 1996). Photographer
  59. Harry Donald Secombe (1921 – 2001) – sitter of 8 portraits (1952, 1955, lates 1950s, 1963, 1963, 1968, early 1970s, 1988).  Comedian, actor, writer, singer and television presenter
  60. (William) Glyn Hughes Simon (1903 – 1972) – sitter of 5 portraits (1951, 1951, 1958, 1958, 1958).  Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, 1953 until 1957; Bishop of Llandaff, 1957 until 1971 and Archbishop of Wales, 1968 until 1971.
  61. Llewellyn Thomas Gordon Soulsby (1885 – 1966) – sitter of 3 portraits (1945, 1945, 1945). Naval architect.
  62. Henry Hussey Vivian (1821 – 1884) – sitter of 5 portraits (1860s, 1860, 1861, 1861, 1886).  1st Baron Swansea
  63. Odo Richard Vivian (1875 – 1934) – sitter of 6 portraits (1922, 1922, 1922, 1922, 1922, 1930).  3rd Baron Swansea
  64. Winifred Hamilton (1884 – 1944) – sitter of 3 portraits (1922, 1922, 1922).  Wife of the above, Odo Richard Vivian
  65. Averil Beamont (1841 – 1934) – sitter of 3 portraits (1923, 1923, 1923).  Wife of 1st Baron Swansea
  66. John Hussey Vivian (1925 – 2005) – sitter of 4 portraits (1942, 1942, 1942, 1942, 1942, 1942).  4th Baron Swansea, son of the 3rd Baron
  67. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803 – 1890) – sitter of 1 portrait (1834).  Landowner, industrialist and Liberal politician; MP for Glamorganshire, serving from 1830 until 1885.
  68. Dylan Thomas (1914 – 1953) – sitter of 22 portraits (1937-1938, 1938, 1940, 1940, 1941, 1941, 1944, 1947, 1948,  1950, 1952, 1952, 1952, 1952, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953). Poet
  69. Florence Hannah (1882 – 1958) – sitter in 2 portraits (1953, 1958).  Mother of the above, Dylan Thomas
  70. John James Absalom Thomas (1908 – 1995) – sitter in 1 portrait (1958). Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, serving from 1958 until 1976.
  71. (Flora) Caroline Elizabeth Cholmeley (d. 1868) – sitter in 1 portrait (bf. 1853).  Second wife of Henry Hussey Vivian, later 1st Baron Swansea.
  72. John Henry Vivian (1785 – 1855) – sitter in 1 portrait (1833-1843). Liberal politician; MP for Swansea, serving from 1832 until 1855.
  73. Richard Glynn Vivian (1835 – 1910) – sitter in 1 portrait (1861). Art collector and philanthropist; founder of Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
  74. Jennie Westlake Ruthen (1898 – 1964) – sitter of 1 portrait (1920).  Daughter of Charles Tamlin Ruthen; wife of Garfield Attwood Watkins
  75. John Williams (1837 – 1846) – associated with 1 portrait (1846).  Publisher
  76. Rowan Williams (1950 - ) – sitter in 2 portriats (2005, 2006).  Archbishop of Canterbury
  77. Edward William Williamson (1892 – 1953) – sitter in 3 portraits (unknown date, 1940s, 1947).  Bishop of Swansea, serving from 1939 until 1953.
  78. Catherine Zeta Jones (1969 - ) – sitter in 2 portraits (1997, 1998).  Actress

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