National Museum Cardiff: a showcase of fine art and Welsh heritage

The National Museum Cardiff, formerly known as the National Museum of Wales, is a museum and art gallery in Cardiff. The building in Cathays Park was designed by architects Arnold Dunbar Smith and Cecil Brewer. Construction began in 1912, but owing to the First World War it did not open to the public until 1922, with the official opening taking place in 1927. Part of the bid for the museum included the gift of the Cardiff Museum Collection, which was formally handed over in 1912.

Today, the museum stands as a showcase of history and art, housing a massive collection of botany, fine and applied art, geology, and zoology. The art gallery features a significant collection of Old Master paintings, including works by Amico Aspertini and Frans Snyders, as well as a 1657 portrait of Catharina Hooghsaet by Rembrandt. The collection also includes French art of international standing, featuring works by Honoré Daumier, Jean-François Millet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Van Gogh. Notable pieces include La Parisienne by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and a bronze version of Rodin's Kiss.

The museum serves as a repository of Welsh heritage, displaying works by notable Welsh artists such as Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones, Augustus John, and Gwen John. It also features works by Sir Kyffin Williams and the artistic output of David Jones. In February 2025, the museum announced a temporary closure due to maintenance funding issues.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons