Casgliadau Celf Arlein

It was interesting to find this on the Internet as my first full time job was as Technical Photographer and Assistant to Professor Stephen Rees-Jones in the Technology Department of the Courtauld Institute of Art in 1968. He had a quite unique knowledge of historical painting techniques and was a wonderful person to work for. I think he may well have brought this very painting into the department fo be examined and photographed while I was there. Please forward this email to Gwilym Rees-Jones if possible. I have many happy memories of my time at the Courtauld.

Colin Vallance

Dear Gwilym Rees-Jones, I'm sorry you were unable to see this painting on previous visits. The work was on view in our 'Welsh Artists of the Eighteenth Century' gallery (Gallery 9) from April 2008 until June this year.
Prior to that our Historic Art galleries were undergoing refurbishment so the majority of our collection was taken off display. The painting was also included in an exhibition in Manchester in 2003.

Gallery 9 is intended as a flexible space, where the displays change occasionally to show the breadth of eighteenth-century Welsh Art in our collection. Currently the display focuses on the artist William Parry, so Thomas Jones's Classical Landscape with a River has not been included. It is very likely, however, that it will feature in future displays.

We will be very happy to show you the work in store if it is not on display when you visit next spring. Please make an appointment with one of the curators in advance to make sure someone is available.


Anne Pritchard, Assistant Curator - Historic Art.

This painting was owned by my father (Professor Stephen Rees-Jones) and bequeathed by him to the National Museum of Wales after his death in 1996.
I have noticed on several occasions that the painting has not been public view in the collection, and wondered whether there was a particular reason for this.
As a supplementary question I am planning to visit Cardiff next Spring (I live in London) and would like to know whether it would be possible to view the painting during my visit? Obviously I can give prior notice of the exact time of my proposed visit closer to the date.
Thank-you in advance.
Gwilym Rees-Jones