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She was a supporter of Lloyd George, became a member of the Gorsedd at the National Eisteddfod, wore the traditional Welsh costume every day and is today remembered as one of the most significant art patrons of the 20th Century. A new exhibition which opened at National Museum Cardiff on 26 July 2008 delves into the life of Winifred Coombe Tennant (1874 - 1956) who befriended artists and collected their works, with the hope of creating a national art collection.

Last year, National Museum Cardiff showcased the popular exhibition of art collected by Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. A life through art focuses on Winifred Coombe Tennant - another female who made an important contribution to the progression of art in Wales.

Winifred Coombe Tennant was interested in artists who worked in Wales. She owned paintings by Evan Walters, Kyffin Williams, Gwen John and John Elwyn, and those who created a link between her two favourite countries - Wales and France. A person of moderate wealth, she assisted the artists with personal support and was commended for her work in the development of young Welsh painters.

Winifred Coombe Tennant: A life through art is primarily her own art collection. It is curated by art historian Peter Lord, and contains works by artists who she knew personally. Over 80 paintings will be on display, some of which she bought for the Glynn Vivian Gallery for which she was the official London buyer, and others for herself.

“The majority of the works in the exhibition are from private collections, so this is an unique opportunity for everyone to enjoy them,” said Beth McIntyre, Curator, National Museum Cardiff. “And they’re not displayed in isolation. The diaries and letters which accompany the paintings tell us more about her relationships with artists who worked in Wales at the beginning of the 20th Century.

“Due to her love of Kyffin Williams’ work, the Museum will display a large variety of his paintings. She was the first and most important patron of Evan Walters as she owned 49 of his works. When she was young she knew Gwen John and meeting Augustus John after the Second World War was one of the highlights in her life.”

Winifred Coombe Tennant: A life through art will be housed at National Museum Cardiff from 26 July until 9 November 2008 and admission is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government. The exhibition has been organised by the National Library of Wales.

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer on 029 2057 3185 / 07920 027067 or

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Notes to Editors

More about Winifred Coombe Tennant

• In 1895, Winifred Coombe Tennant married Charles Coombe Tennant of Cadoxton Lodge, Neath where they settled down for around 30 years before moving to London.
• Although not a Welsh speaker, she was a member of the gorsedd as the robes mistress at the National Eisteddfod 1927/28.
• She felt strongly for international peace and represented Britain as a delegate to the League of Nations.
• She was the most closely studied psychic medium of her period.
• Winifred experienced trance like states which made her believe firmly in the continuity of the life of the individual after death.
• She loved Wales and France and it was those painters who linked both countries who took her interest during the last decade of her life.