Gwendoline and Margaret Davies

Social philanthropists who amassed one of the largest art collections in the UK

Born:

1880s

Place of Birth:

Llandinam

Biography:

Gwendoline and Margaret Davies were two spinster sisters who lived all their life in Mid Wales but who travelled afar and put together one of the largest art collections in the UK.

They were the grand-daughters of David Davies of Llandinam, a wealthy industrialist who made his fortune from contracting, coal-owning, railways and the docks at Barry. The two sisters were brought up in a strict Welsh Nonconformist tradition, remaining strict sabbatarians and teetotallers until their deaths. Neither Gwendoline nor Margaret married.

In his legacy, David Davies left Gwendoline and Margaret £500,000 each and although they had no tradition of art appreciation, the money enabled them to become passionate collectors of art from around 1908 onwards.

Under the guidance of their advisors, they initially bought paintings by the likes of Turner, Corot and Millet but were encouraged to buy the works of Carriere, Monet and Rodin. By 1924, they had amassed the largest collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works in Britain.

By this time they had settled at Gregynog Hall, five miles from Newtown. Here they created a centre for the arts in Wales and founded the prestigious Gregynog Music festival, attracting the likes of Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Holst. The festival still survives to this day, taking place every June.

They established The Gregynog Press (Gwasg Gregynog), producing limited edition books of rare beauty with fine hand-coloured illustrations, superb typography and engraving all beautifully bound by hand. These books are today revered by collectors the world over.

Like their brother, Lord Davies of Llandinam, the sisters were active social philanthropists, contributing to many educational and social causes. They had run canteens for the troops in the First World War and in the Second World War, they allowed Gregynog to be tuned into a convalescent home for injured soldiers.

Gwendoline died in 1951 and in 1960, Margaret made a gift of Gregynog and its contents to the University of Wales, which has used it since as an inter-collegial conference centre.

The Oriel Davies gallery in Newtown, which was designed in 1967, was also built with a bequest from the sisters.

Between 1951 and 1963, they bequeathed two hundred and sixty works to the National Museums and Galleries of Wales - completely transforming its art collection with works such as famous Renoir's famous Blue Lady, Monet's Rouen Cathedral and Rodin's The Kiss. Thanks to them, Wales has a truly outstanding collection of art.

Gregynog Festival - A two-week summer festival.

your comments

Ginny O'Leary, Lawton, Okla., USA
Part of the exquisite collection can now be seen at the Okla.City Museum of Art, and should be viewed by all art lovers in this area. The pictorial history of the Davies girls is a welcome addition. There are so many beautiful paintings it is difficult to choose a favourite. I encourage all to attend. It would be a wonderful experience to go to Wales to see the complete collection.
Sun Aug 9 17:13:14 2009

Kay Dukeman, Oklahoma City, OK
My husband and I have just visited the Davies Collection now at the Oklahoma City Art Museum. It was a lovely experience. The Davies sisters put together a remarkable collection and we so appreciate that it has been allowed to travel. The collection is a real treat.
Tue Jul 7 09:58:29 2009

Mark Steven Davies
I live in the United States (Salisbury, NC)but my father's family is from Cardiff. My wife and I are visiting the exhibit in Columbia, SC next week and are very excited.
Sun May 3 19:32:13 2009

Elizabeth Williams
I think these are my long lost relatives. Are there any books on the family history that I can buy?
Tue Apr 7 16:26:22 2009

Gillian Frencer from Hastings
As a student of Russian at the University College of North Wales, it was my privelege to attend a two or three day Russian course at Gregynog in the early 70's. Our stay was extended because we became snowed in - and I can't think of any better place to spend some extra days with my fellow students, enjoying the warmth and hospitality in such a lovely house and in such a beautiful setting.
Sun Mar 1 19:46:29 2009

Gwen Hamilton from Seamill in Ayrshire
I heard about Gwendoline and Margaret on Woman's hour last week. It caught my attention because my sister and I have the same names. We hope to be able to visit the National Galleries and Museums of Wales and Gregynog Hall in the not too distant future.
Wed Aug 8 09:12:50 2007

Roderick Smith from Cambridge
My father was the local Doctor for the Gwendoline and Margaret Davies and I often used to visit Gregynog Hall with him. I would either wait in the car or roam the grounds. It is a stunningly beautiful location. My father came from Aberdeenshire and purchased a very expensive hi-fi system in 1951. He had no real interest in music - all he wanted was a radio capable of receiving the Scotish Home Service which it did with some difficulty. He must have mentioned to Margaret that records sounded pretty good on it as well and so she came to our house to hear it. She was highly impressed and immediately purchased a similar system - it helped fill the gaps between live musicians visiting Gregynog.
Tue Jul 17 10:06:09 2007

Dr D L Collins
I attended conferences at Gregynog Hall in the late 70's and I particularly remember a superb timbered room. The art works on display were amazing and one of the loos was spectacular.The second time I went to the hall it had sadly been replaced by a normal one. The scenery surrounding the house has to be seen too.
Sun Jul 8 19:53:11 2007

Zoe davies. Great Niece of the sisters
I live in Scotland. I have only been there once but I loved it. It was great to know where my past was from.
Thu Oct 5 08:57:26 2006

Margaret Alexander, Vale of Glamorgan
I have just come back from a weekend at Gregynog, staying at the cottage. I was there for a concert of Welsh music and particularly some items by Welsh composer Graxe Williams. The stunning weather combined with glorious countryside and music, especially the birdsong in the mornings made it an unforgettable couple of days.
Thu Jul 6 09:47:48 2006

Jeanette Thomas, formerly of Glynneath.
I recently came across documents about Gwendoline Davies and her father and saw the Van Gogh painting Rain-Auvers which she bequeathed to the National Galleries of Wales yesterday while I was visiting an exhibition called 'Van Gogh and Britain' Pioneer Collectors' at Compton Verney, Warks. I own a print of Renoir's Blue Lady bought from the National Galleries in Cardiff when I was a student at UCW Aberystwyth. It's still a favourite picture. I know very little about Gwendoline or her sister but I am very interested in learning more about Gregynog Hall and this exceptional Welsh Pioneer Collector.
Thu Apr 13 10:19:42 2006

Sofie Smith from Newtown
Gregynog hall is a fabulous place. I have only been there twice, once with school and another when I was with a friend. I found it very educational and fascinating. The garden is also wonderful.
Thu Jun 23 16:05:17 2005

Lucy Dewitt (Swansea)
I am the great great great niece of Lord David Davies. Thanks to information like this it is helping me a lot to trace my family history. Thankyou.
Tue Mar 29 14:51:15 2005

Nick Randallsmith from Montgomery
As an undergraduate at Swansea Uni. in the late 1970s I used to visit Gregynog Hall quite often and loved it; it was like staying in a great country house as a welcome guest. Times have moved on and Gregynog has had to modernise a bit and it has lost something in the process but it is still one of the most beautiful places in Wales and the public can enjoy the gardens for free! In late October and through November the autumn colours are stunning.
Sat Oct 16 07:00:36 2004

Donna Jenkins from Tregynon
You have to see Gregynog Hall to fully appreciate what Wales has gained from the Davies sisters. It is a truly remarkable place full of beauty and history. A tranquil setting that is ideal for families.
Fri Nov 28 13:47:49 2003

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