Welsh Art, Architecture & Literature

WELSH ART

The oldest cave paintings in Britain, from around 15,000 years ago, can be found in a cave on the Gower Peninsula. In medieval times, Wales shares it's art history with surrounding countries, and illuminated manuscripts of Celtic Christianity take centre stage. During the renaissance, a lot of the art produced consisted of wall paintings created for the church. The 18th Century dominance of landscape art in England then influenced Welsh artists, and painter Richard Wilson, who lived during the 1700s, is thought to be one of the first major British landscapists.

In the 1800's numerous art schools opened in Wales but many graduates had to leave Wales to work. Perhaps the most famous Welsh-born painters were Augustus John and his sister Gwen John, though they lived in London and Paris; however landscapists Sir Kyffin Williams and Peter Prendergast stayed in Wales most of their lives. During the 1900s many art groups formed in Wales and such groups are still important in contemporary Welsh art. While the focus has shifted in a number of directions, landscape art is well represented while pottery and decorated porcelain have also become important. If you want to explore Welsh Art further, we recommend the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, and the Martin Tinney Gallery and National Museum of Art, both in Cardiff.

WELSH ARCHITECTURE

For many interested in visiting Wales for it's architecture, it's castles are the key focus, however the country has a wealth of other interesting types of building. The earliest architecture in Wales dates back to 14th century tower houses, some of which remain standing today. There are some written records of timber frame houses existing prior to this, but no physical evidence of this has been discovered.

From the late 1600s, many Welsh castles, such as Chirk and Powis, were transformed into grand houses and many other larger house were built, particularly in southern Wales. The 1700s saw neoclassical architecture came to Wales due to the influence of Samuel Wyatt and Anthony Keck. Greek revival and Baroque revival architecture was used for many public building in the 1800s but the interwar period in the 1900s saw few significant buildings constructed.

During the 1960s local government commissioned some notable buildings, such as Wrexham Swimming baths, which have a giant parabolic roof covering three swimming pools. Whichever era of Welsh architecture most enthuses you, we can create a perfect itinerary to explore the the history of building here so get in touch today.

WELSH LITERATURE

Wales has a dual literary tradition and the facade of Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff has a large bilingual inscription in renognition of the importance of both languages. The centre contains a theatre, literature companies, the national orchestra and opera, and would make a great place to begin a discovery of Welsh literature.

The most well known Welsh author is Roald Dahl, born in Wales in 1916 to Norwegian parents. The Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay which the Dahls attended is now an arts centre, and the public square nearby has been named Roald Dahl Plass in his honour.

The influence of Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas on Welsh culture can also not be underestimated. The biennial Dylan Thomas Prize is awarded to a writer aged 39 or under – the age at which Thomas died, and the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea also hosts an annual festival devoted to him and has a permanent exhibition on the poet.

At Tŷ Newydd, the National Writing Centre of Wales in Llanystwmdwy, North Wales, writing courses, poetry masterclasses and retreats are available should you really wants to immerse yourself in a writing experience during your time in Wales. For the drama enthusiast, The National Theatre Wales in Cardiff, founded in 2009, is worth a visit. As is the Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, its Welsh language equivalent. The Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea is another option to take in a live show.

To begin your Welsh literary journey, contact us today and we will help you prepare the perfect itinerary.