Artist to the stars: How one of Wales' finest painters is finally being honoured

ITV News

3 hours ago

With its contrast of light and darkness and its brooding religious theme, "The Devil's Daughter" could have been painted by Caravaggio.
When the painting went on display at the Royal Academy in 1917 it caused a sensation and created worldwide headlines.
In later years, it is claimed, it hung in the recording studio of rock band Black Sabbath. Now it is owned by a collector from Pontypridd.
But the Welsh artist who painted it was scarcely remembered in her home land, until now.
On Saturday (21 June), a headstone will be unveiled at the final resting place of Margaret Lindsay Williams - a spot which was previously marked by a simple plaque.
Dr Jonathan Hicks, the historian who led the headstone campaign, said it is about time the artist was recognised.
"It won't be a sad day, unlike most occasions that take place in cemeteries', he said.
'This is about a celebration of her life.'
'It's about recognising the talent she had. The impact she made nationally, not least on Welsh art.'
Margaret Lindsay Williams was born in 1888 in Cardiff but her family soon moved to Barry, where they lived on Windsor Road.
She studied at the Cardiff School of Art and later at London's Royal Academy, becoming the youngest student - and the first Welsh artist - to win the prestigious gold medal.
An important early work was 'The Welsh National Service at Westminster Abbey'. It took Williams three years to paint and now hangs in Cardiff Crown Court.
But some of Williams' early work was more introspective.
'The Devil's Daughter' was followed by two similar canvases: 'The Triumph' and 'The Imprisoned Soul".
All depict themes of spiritual conflict and the tension between vice and virtue. Paul Buckland bought 'The Devil's Daughter' from a gallery in the US.
'Not being a religious person at all, I just like the idea of somebody saying 'no, I'm going to go and have fun. I'm not going to go to church', he said.
'But it's also what it represents - a strong feminist painting by a Welsh painter.'
From the mid 1920s, Williams concentrated on portraits, becoming one of high society's most sought after artists.
She painted King George V, Queen Mary, and - on five separate occasions - Queen Elizabeth II.
She was also commissioned to produce childhood portraits of the current King - Charles III - and his sister, Princess Anne.
Williams said this process inspired a love of art in the four-year-old Charles - he turned up to one sitting wearing overalls and with a set of brushes.
The young Prince even presented her with his own paintings. Williams described them as being 'very modern school,' although she had to ask Charles what the pictures were of - 'a forest' and 'a house' apparently.
Alongside her royal work, Williams was also asked to paint other famous faces of her day. Her subjects included Prime Minister David Lloyd George and Ivor Novello, the Welsh composer.
She also crossed the Atlantic to paint automobile tycoon Henry Ford and even Warren Harding, the US President.
It is reported that Harding sat for her on 18 separate occasions, although the sessions were often interrupted by state business. Williams later said the President had asked her if she had ever been in love, to which she replied: 'Oh, Mr President, I am wedded to my art.'
In fact, Margaret never married. She died in 1960 at her home in St John's Wood, London.
She was buried in Barry's Merthyr Dyfan cemetery but until now, there has been no permanent marker of her final resting place.
'I thought it really didn't seem fair that this woman was lying in an unmarked plot in Barry cemetery', said Dr Hicks.
'I went away and mused on it for a while and spent some time researching her life, found it to be absolutely fascinating, and then decided that I would launch a fundraising appeal.'
The appeal raised more than £2,000 and saw a headstone created by CJ Ball memorial masons of Barry.
It will be unveiled at a special ceremony on Saturday - in the week marking Williams' birthday.
Barry's mayor will be among those present, together with six members of the artist's family, who have travelled over from Canada.
It is a fitting tribute to one of Barry 's greatest daughters. A painter of monarchs and presidents who never forgot her roots.