Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies, CH (11 February 1882 – 3 July 1951), was a Welsh philanthropist and patron of the arts who, together with her sister Margaret, is recognised as the most influential collector of Impressionist and 20th-century art in Wales. She and her sister were independently wealthy, their fortune inherited from the businesses created by their grandfather, the industrialist David Davies. Davies and her sister created one of the most important private collections of art in Britain and donated their total of 260 works to what is now the National Museum Wales in the mid-20th century.
Gwendoline Davies was born at Llandinam, daughter of Edward Davies and his wife Mary, who was the daughter of Evan Jones, a Calvinistic Methodist minister.[1] Edward was the only son of the industrialist and philanthropist David Davies. Gwendoline's brother David Davies, 1st Baron Davies, was elevated to the Peerage in 1932 and her sister was Margaret. Both girls were educated at Highfield School in Hendon.
Arts patronage
Art collection
In 1908 while travelling in Europe, the sisters began to collect art. In particular, they purchased many works by the Impressionists and post-Impressionists, although they also acquired holdings of 20th-century modern artists, such as Josef Herman, Oskar Kokoschka, Augustus John, Stanley Spencer, Frank Brangwyn, and Eric Gill. Hugh Blaker, art collector who was curator of the Holburne Museum from 1905 – 1913 was an adviser to the Davies sisters and assisted in securing their vast art collection.[2]
Gwendoline and Margaret Davies bought the mansion of Gregynog just after the First World War, following long discussions with their lifelong friend Thomas Jones,[3] and set up an arts centre there. In 1923 the sisters launched the Gregynog Press, printing fine limited editions in both English and Welsh. Jones was chairman of the press throughout its existence.
The sisters ended the festival during the build-up to the Second World War. It was revived during 1955–1961 by Ian Parrott, who was Gregynog Professor of Music at Aberystwyth for more than 30 years. The festival was revived again in 1988 by the tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson. It continues under Rhian Davies's direction.[4]
Later life
Neither of the sisters married. Gwen died in Oxford. Her ashes were buried at her birthplace of Llandinam, as were her sister's after her death in 1963.
Art legacy
In 1953 and 1961, the Davies sisters' collection of 260 works was bequeathed to the National Museum of Wales, forming the nucleus in the mid-20th century of its international art collection and greatly expanding its range. It has been called "one of the great British art collections of the 20th century."[5] Among these were seven oil paintings that had been bought as Turners (including The Beacon Light).[6] Three of these were subsequently judged to be fake and withdrawn from display. These works were re-examined by the BBC TV programme, Fake or Fortune where they were reinstated as genuine Turners. All seven paintings will now be exhibited together.[when?][citation needed]
In 1967, the Davies Memorial Gallery was purpose-built in Newtown, Powys with a legacy left by the Davies sisters. In January 2003, after major refurbishment, the Gallery re-opened as Oriel Davies Gallery in recognition of the sisters.
Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies should not be confused with the Hon. Gwendoline Rita Jean Davies (born 1929), the daughter of her brother, David Davies, 1st Baron Davies.
References
^Lloyd-Morgan, Ceridwen. "Davies, Gwendoline Elizabeth". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/39573. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015.
^Ellis, Ted (1992). T.J.: A Life of Dr Thomas Jones, CH. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. p. 246. ISBN0-7083-1138-5.
^ abRagor: "Gregynog: Arts and Music for Wales" 11 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine, National Museum Wales, accessed 13 October 2010
^Art: "Davies Sisters Collection", National Museum Wales, accessed 29 September 2010
gwendoline, davies, other, people, named, gwen, davies, gwen, davies, disambiguation, gwendoline, elizabeth, davies, february, 1882, july, 1951, welsh, philanthropist, patron, arts, together, with, sister, margaret, recognised, most, influential, collector, im. For other people named Gwen Davies see Gwen Davies disambiguation Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies CH 11 February 1882 3 July 1951 was a Welsh philanthropist and patron of the arts who together with her sister Margaret is recognised as the most influential collector of Impressionist and 20th century art in Wales She and her sister were independently wealthy their fortune inherited from the businesses created by their grandfather the industrialist David Davies Davies and her sister created one of the most important private collections of art in Britain and donated their total of 260 works to what is now the National Museum Wales in the mid 20th century Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Arts patronage 2 1 Art collection 2 2 Music patronage Gregynog Music Festival 3 Later life 4 Art legacy 5 Honours 6 Note 7 References 8 SourcesEarly life and education EditGwendoline Davies was born at Llandinam daughter of Edward Davies and his wife Mary who was the daughter of Evan Jones a Calvinistic Methodist minister 1 Edward was the only son of the industrialist and philanthropist David Davies Gwendoline s brother David Davies 1st Baron Davies was elevated to the Peerage in 1932 and her sister was Margaret Both girls were educated at Highfield School in Hendon Arts patronage EditArt collection Edit In 1908 while travelling in Europe the sisters began to collect art In particular they purchased many works by the Impressionists and post Impressionists although they also acquired holdings of 20th century modern artists such as Josef Herman Oskar Kokoschka Augustus John Stanley Spencer Frank Brangwyn and Eric Gill Hugh Blaker art collector who was curator of the Holburne Museum from 1905 1913 was an adviser to the Davies sisters and assisted in securing their vast art collection 2 Gwendoline and Margaret Davies bought the mansion of Gregynog just after the First World War following long discussions with their lifelong friend Thomas Jones 3 and set up an arts centre there In 1923 the sisters launched the Gregynog Press printing fine limited editions in both English and Welsh Jones was chairman of the press throughout its existence Music patronage Gregynog Music Festival Edit Whereas art was Margaret s passion Gwen was a talented amateur musician From 1933 to 1938 they sponsored the Gregynog Music Festival at their estate a 3 4 day affair that included poetry readings The festivals played host to important composers and other musical figures of the period including Ralph Vaughan Williams Edward Elgar Gustav Holst the conductor Adrian Boult and the poet Lascelles Abercrombie and performers including Jelly d Aranyi and the Rothschild Quartet 4 The sisters ended the festival during the build up to the Second World War It was revived during 1955 1961 by Ian Parrott who was Gregynog Professor of Music at Aberystwyth for more than 30 years The festival was revived again in 1988 by the tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson It continues under Rhian Davies s direction 4 Later life EditNeither of the sisters married Gwen died in Oxford Her ashes were buried at her birthplace of Llandinam as were her sister s after her death in 1963 Art legacy EditIn 1953 and 1961 the Davies sisters collection of 260 works was bequeathed to the National Museum of Wales forming the nucleus in the mid 20th century of its international art collection and greatly expanding its range It has been called one of the great British art collections of the 20th century 5 Among these were seven oil paintings that had been bought as Turners including The Beacon Light 6 Three of these were subsequently judged to be fake and withdrawn from display These works were re examined by the BBC TV programme Fake or Fortune where they were reinstated as genuine Turners All seven paintings will now be exhibited together when citation needed In 1967 the Davies Memorial Gallery was purpose built in Newtown Powys with a legacy left by the Davies sisters In January 2003 after major refurbishment the Gallery re opened as Oriel Davies Gallery in recognition of the sisters Honours Edit1937 Gwen Davies was created a Companion of Honour Note EditGwendoline Elizabeth Davies should not be confused with the Hon Gwendoline Rita Jean Davies born 1929 the daughter of her brother David Davies 1st Baron Davies References Edit Lloyd Morgan Ceridwen Davies Gwendoline Elizabeth Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 39573 Subscription or UK public library membership required The Holburne Museum I am Art in Bath Trevor Fishlock Archived from the original on 28 September 2015 Ellis Ted 1992 T J A Life of Dr Thomas Jones CH Cardiff University of Wales Press p 246 ISBN 0 7083 1138 5 a b Ragor Gregynog Arts and Music for Wales Archived 11 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine National Museum Wales accessed 13 October 2010 Art Davies Sisters Collection National Museum Wales accessed 29 September 2010 Wales OnlineSources Edit Gwendoline Davies Welsh Biography Online BBC Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gwendoline Davies amp oldid 1144458417, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
