The Two Portraits of Rhodri Morgan

Fri, 28 Jan 11 14:09:00

Rhodri Morgan’s contribution to Welsh life will be marked on and Saturday 29 January with the unveiling of the second of two specially commissioned portraits at the National Library of Wales’s annual Open Day.

The paintings are by renowned artist David Griffiths. The former First Minister will unveil the portrait at the Library’s council Chamber at 13.30 on Saturday. It follows the official unveiling of another portrait by David Griffiths at the Senedd on 26 January. 
The painting selected for unveiling at the National Library depicts a suited Mr Morgan sitting at his desk in his ministerial office. The painting selected for the Assembly on the other hand depicts the former First Minister in the countryside near his Cardiff home in a relaxed pose with William Tell, his Labrador dog.

The Assembly portrait has been funded by Mr Morgan's Assembly and Parliamentary colleagues, the Welsh business and sporting community, individual sponsors and trade union members.

The sittings for the two paintings took place at Mr Morgan's home and at the artist's studio, over a period of several months in 2010. 

Deputy Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM headed the public appeal for funds. Mrs Butler said: 
‘Rhodri has played a major part in the history of modern Wales and his admirers felt that his contribution should be recognised with a portrait for public display. I was delighted with the response to the appeal and I am sure that everybody will be thrilled when they see the portrait.’

Andrew Green, Librarian of the National Library, said: 
‘We house many of David Griffith’s portraits of famous Welsh people, such as Bryn Terfel, Gwynfor Evans and Sir Geraint Evans. It's very fitting that the former First Minister is now also a part of this important portrait collection.’

David Griffiths is one of the UK's most respected portrait artists. He became famous for his painting of the Prince of Wales receiving the freedom of the City of Cardiff in the year of the Investiture, 1969. 

But he has also depicted famous politicians and sportsmen such as Enoch Powell, Barry John and Joe Calzhage and last year, he painted Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales. Mr Griffiths has been based in the Roath area of Cardiff for 45 years, having moved to the capital to jointly set up Albany Gallery. He was brought up in Pwllheli, Gwynedd, and trained at the Slade School of Fine Art in London.

He said: 
‘Being commissioned to paint Rhodri Morgan has been a great privilege and I was fascinated by his many and varied stories and anecdotes. He was a delight to portray.’

 

The Portrait will be displayed in the Library's Central Hall between 1 February 2011 and 1 March 2011.
 
For more information:

David Griffiths: 029 20486866; www.david-griffiths.co.uk. dg at david-griffiths.co.uk

Siôn Jobbins, National Library of Wales Press Office: 01970 632902  sij@llgc.org.uk

Joanna Hill, Press Officer for David Griffiths: joanna.hill at yahoo.co.uk 07825 699642

Max Perkins, Office of Rosemary Butler AM: Max.Perkins at wales.gov.uk 02920898528