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Christopher Williams

Christopher Williams

Christopher David Williams was a renowned artist from Maesteg. He was born on Commercial Street, Maesteg on 7th January 1873, and young Christopher attended the Llynfi Works School on Llynfi Road.

Determined to become an artist, Christopher took art classes in Neath, and earned a scholarship to train at the Royal Academy School in London, where he further developed his artistic skills.

Christopher Williams painted many landscapes and allegorical paintings, but was especially renowned as a portrait artist. In 1911 he received a royal commission to paint the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon, and he was commissioned to paint ‘The Charge of the Welsh Division at Mametz Wood’ in 1916 by David Lloyd George.

Williams was proud of his Welsh heritage, and an advocate for the arts in Wales. He designed the Will Hopcyn memorial in Llangynwyd, and donated paintings to Maesteg Town Hall, to improve access to art in his hometown. After his death his ashes were spread on a hill at Llangynwyd.

IMAGE

J.F. Lloyd photo of Cristopher Williams at work – PCW / Copyright: Carmarthenshire County Museum

The Christopher Williams Collection in Maesteg Town Hall

The Town Hall is the permanent home of a collection of oil paintings by Christopher Williams.
Williams donated two paintings to the Town Hall in 1934. As his health was failing at this time, his sons Gwyn and Ivor attended the event to unveil the paintings at Maesteg Town Hall on 18th July 1934. Williams received a telegram from his sons the following day, to say that the event had been a success. Williams died that same evening.

Williams’ widow donated more paintings to be displayed in Maesteg Town Hall. These paintings have now all been restored by specialist conservators, and are back on display in the auditorium.

IMAGE

Christopher and Emily Williams, with their friend Benjamin Archibald Lewis Copyright: Carmarthenshire County Museum

Paintings

Williams, Christopher, 1873-1934; Paolo and Francesca. Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/paolo-and-francesca-153007

Paolo and Francesca

Williams, Christopher, 1873-1934; Paolo and Francesca. Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/paolo-and-francesca-153007

'Paolo and Francesca’

(1902)

‘Paolo and Francesca’ was the first painting by Christopher Williams to be exhibited in the Royal Academy in London.

‘Paolo and Francesca’ were characters in Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, based on real people from the 1200s.

Paolo’s father was the Lord of Rimini and Francesca’s father the Lord of Ravenna. Like the families of Romeo and Juliet, they had been at war for years. To secure a peace between the two families, Francesca was married to Giovanni. But once she arrived in Rimini, Francesca fell in love with Giovanni’s brother, Paolo. He was already married, but fell in love with Francesca. The couple had an affair for years, before they were discovered by Giovanni, who killed them both.

A dramatic story that inspired many artists over the centuries, including Christopher Williams.

Williams, Christopher; Mrs Sackvill-Evans;

Mrs Sackville-Evans

Williams, Christopher; Mrs Sackvill-Evans;

'Mrs Sackville-Evans’

(1899)

This painting was donated to be displayed in Maesteg Town Hall in December 1938.

It is a portrait of Mrs. Sackville-Evans, the first wife of Mr. J.B. Sackville-Evans of London. He donated the painting to the Town Hall on the recommendation of Christopher Williams’ son, Ivor.

It was painted in the spring of 1899, and is said to be Williams’ first large portrait commission. The painting was created over several sittings; it is not known if the dog attended all of these sittings!

Williams, Christopher; Alice Sophia Amelia Stopford Green (1847-1929); Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/alice-sophia-amelia-stopford-green-18471929-153008

Alice Sophia Amelia Stopford Green

Williams, Christopher; Alice Sophia Amelia Stopford Green (1847-1929); Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/alice-sophia-amelia-stopford-green-18471929-153008

'Alice Sophia Amelia Stopford Green’

(1899)

Alice Stopford Green (1847-1929) was an Irish historian, author and nationalist.

She was born Alice Sophia Amelia Stopford in Kells, County Meath. In 1877 Alice married John Richard Green, a historian and clergyman from Oxfordshire – she was widowed in 1883.

Alice often entertained budding artists in her London home, amongst whom were Christopher Williams and Fred Appleyard. Fred’s sister Emily Appleyard was Alice’s secretary.

It was at Alice’s functions that Emily Appleyard and Christopher Williams formed a close attachment, and they married on 21st September 1904.

Williams, Christopher; 'Now I'm the Judge', Gwyn Williams, the Artist's Son; Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/now-im-the-judge-gwyn-williams-the-artists-son-153011

Now I’m the Judge, Gwyn Williams, the Artist’s Son

Williams, Christopher; 'Now I'm the Judge', Gwyn Williams, the Artist's Son; Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/now-im-the-judge-gwyn-williams-the-artists-son-153011

'Now I’m the Judge, Gwyn Williams, the Artist’s Son’

(1912)

This painting shows Gwyn Williams, Christopher Williams’ eldest son.

It was painted in 1912, when Gwyn was around 7 years old. Gwyn is wearing a Judge’s wig and flamboyant, adult-sized robes. The robes belonged to Sir Samuel Evans, from Skewen.

Gwyn became a prominent astronomer. He wrote several publications on astronomy, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1928. He died whilst on a research expedition in Pretoria on 31st May 1940. Gwyn Williams was survived by his wife Fiona and their young daughter.

Williams, Christopher; The Remorse of Judas; Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-remorse-of-judas-153010

The Remorse of Judas

Williams, Christopher; The Remorse of Judas; Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-remorse-of-judas-153010

'The Remorse of Judas’

(1911)

‘The Remorse of Judas’ was painted by Christopher Williams in 1911. This dramatic and very large painting is based on the text in Saint Matthew’s gospel.

The painting shows Judas throwing down the 30 pieces of silver in the temple. This was the money given to Judas to betray Jesus, but he regrets this betrayal soon afterwards. Hence Judas throws away the money out of remorse.

The story is set at dawn, and in the painting we can see the lightening sky in the distance.

Williams was working on this painting in Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales, but he was unable to find a suitable sitter to paint the face of Judas. When he finally found a local man as his inspiration for Judas, it turned out to be the local Baptist minister!

Williams, Christopher; Mr Evan Williams, the Artist's Father; Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/mr-evan-williams-the-artists-father-153009

Evan Williams, the Artist’s Father

Williams, Christopher; Mr Evan Williams, the Artist's Father; Bridgend County Borough Council; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/mr-evan-williams-the-artists-father-153009

'Evan Williams, the Artist’s Father’

(1903)

This painting of the artist’s father was donated to Maesteg Town Hall by Christopher Williams. He believed it to be ‘the most fitting place (for his father) … among his own people, and I know he would rather have it there than anywhere else’

Evan Williams owned a grocery shop in Commercial Street in Maesteg, known as ‘Siop Williams Tebot’.
Evan had wanted his son to be a doctor, but Christopher insisted that he wanted to be a painter. Eventually Evan relented and promised to do all he could to help his son to become an artist.

This work was probably painted to commemorate Evan’s year as Chairman of Maesteg Urban District Council.

Williams, Christopher; Maesteg Iron Works (1890s)

Llynfi Iron Works

Williams, Christopher; Maesteg Iron Works (1890s)

'Llynfi Iron Works’

(1890s)

This painting depicts the Llynfi Iron Works in Maesteg. It’s the only known painting by Christopher Williams of his hometown.

It is also a rare depiction of the Llynfi Iron Works, which had closed in 1885.

The bottom of the blast furnace (the tall structure on the left of the painting) can still be seen today, next to Maesteg Sports Centre.

This painting was donated to Awen Cultural Trust by a relative of the artist. The painting and its frame were professionally restored, with generous support from local people, Maesteg Town Council, and Pilgrim Trust. The restored painting is now on permanent display in the Town Hall Library.

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