Sir Thomas Mansel of Margam and his wife, Jane

British School (17th century)
Sir Thomas Mansel (1556–1631) and his wife, Jane, Lady Mansel
Oil on canvas, 121 × 125 cm
National Museum Cardiff

This is a double portrait that shows a three-quarter-length view of Sir Thomas Mansel of Margam, a member of one of the wealthiest families in south Wales at the time.

The Mansel family of Oxwich became wealthy by investing in monastic lands following Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. Sir Thomas was the MP for Glamorgan. He inherited the family house in 1595, which had been built on the site of Margam Abbey, near Neath.

During the first two decades of the 17th century, this generation of the family commissioned several portraits in the formal heraldic style, such as this. The purpose of this type of portrait was not to show the personality of the sitter but to publicly display the social status and wealth of the family.

Comments (6)

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JAMES CARTLEDGE
13 April 2022, 16:03
Hi I've been researching my family history and on my mother side I've found my 9th great grandfather was Thomas Mansell 1st baron mansell of margam., born 1667-1723. Also Thomas mansel talbot is my 1st cousin 8 x removed 1747-1813 , who I believe the town of port Talbot is named after. Very pleased to have discovered my south Wales family links. Regards from jim.
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
14 July 2021, 11:49

Dear Barbara, Many thanks for your interest in Thomas Mansel and his family. On our website you can find the following resource which gives a fuller history of the Mansel family of Margam and how they became wealthy, and situates the portrait in its wider historical context. You can find it here.

Barbara Koch
19 June 2021, 13:27
How did the Penrice branch of the family prosper in the following centuries?

How did Sir Thomas Mansel of Margam become the head of one of the wealthiest families in south Wales?
Jennifer Dudley Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
19 May 2021, 11:30

Thank you for your comment. This work is part of National Museum Wales' collection and is currently on display in Gallery 5 of National Museum Cardiff. Sadly, this gallery remains temporarily closed for now.
I believe the other work you are referring to is the Mansel Triple Portrait of c.1605, recently featured on the BBC documentary The Story of Welsh Art. I'm afraid I do not know which collection the triple portrait belongs to.

Best wishes,
Jennifer Dudley
(Curator: Art Collections Management and Access, NMW)

V. Thomas
21 March 2021, 22:59
This website does not say where this portrait can be seen, nor where the other Mansel portrait or portraits are. (eg one with their daughter). I would love to know having seen both in a recent television programme on Welsh art.
I would be grateful for your help.
Elissa
25 November 2017, 01:00
Love this but can't see the comments about Jane (Jane or Jane's dress) because they are cut off. I'm using a laptop.