The paintings, which were originally gifted to the Welsh Rugby Union by the local architects (Osborne V Webb) who re-development the National Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park in 1967 had been in storage at the Millennium Stadium.
The WRU therefore decided that they should be sold – with the proceeds divided between the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and their new Welsh Rugby archive and heritage project at the Millennium Stadium.
The value of Kyffin Williams paintings has drastically increased in the past 30 years, especially following his death at the age of 88 in 2006. He was awarded the OBE for his services to the arts in 1982 and knighted in 1999.
Williams’ works are held in many public collections, including the Government Art Collection, the Arts Council Collection and the National Museum of Wales. His oils regularly sell for sums well in excess of £20,000.
‘Pencarsiniog’ is an oil on canvas measuring 20”x 24” and depicts a village in the community of Llanfaelog, Ynys Mon, Anglesey, near where Williams lived sold today for £22,000.
The second painting, ‘Farms above Waunfawr’, is a little larger than the Anglesey view, sold for £19,000.
“It is a privilege to have conducted the sale on behalf of the WRU –especially when the magical name of Sir John ‘Kyffin’ Williams is involved,” said Richard Madley, of auctioneers Dreweatts.
“And, bearing in mind the wonderful charity that will benefit from the sale, Dreweatts will be waiving its commission.
“The works exhibit Kyffin’s generous use of green, brown and grey paint, which he applied liberally with his palette knife. They are great finds and the fact they have been sold to benefit the national sport of Wales adds to the whole story.”
The Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust was established in 1972 with the principal aim of supporting those players and their families who have been severely injured whilst playing rugby in Wales. Among those players who have most recently benefitted from their help is the Cardiff Blues and Wales centre Owen Williams.
In addition to boosting the Charitable Trust funds, some of the money will also be used to support the WRU’s archive and heritage project.
