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She is more notable as a patron of the arts than the granddaughter of an industrialist.
The only regular membership grade of the Order of the Companions of Honour is 'Member'.
 
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{{Short description|Welsh philanthropist}}
{{other people|Gwen Davies}}
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'''Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies''', [[Companion of Honour|CH]] (11 February [[1882 in Wales|1882]] – 3 July [[1951 in Wales|1951]]), was [[Wales|Welsh]] philanthropist and patron of the arts who, together with her sister [[Margaret Davies|Margaret]], is recognised as the most influental collector of Impressionist and 20th-century art in Wales. She and her sister were independently wealthy, their fortune inhereted from the businesses created by their grandfather, the industrialist [[David Davies (industrialist)|David Davies]]. Davies and her sister created one of the most important private collections of art in Britain and donated their total of 260 works to what is now the [[National Museum Wales]] in the mid-20th century.▼
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
▲'''Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies''', [[CompanionMember of the Order of the Companions of Honour|CH]] (11 February [[1882 in Wales|1882]] –– 3 July [[1951 in Wales|1951]]), was [[Wales|a Welsh]] philanthropist and patron of the arts who, together with her sister [[Margaret Davies|Margaret]], is recognised as the most influentalinfluential collector of Impressionist and 20th-century art in Wales. She and her sister were independently wealthy, their fortune inheretedinherited from the businesses created by their grandfather, the industrialist [[David Davies (industrialist)|David Davies]]. Davies and her sister created one of the most important private collections of art in Britain and donated their total of 260 works to what is now the [[National Museum Wales]] in the mid-20th century.
 
==Early life and education==
Gwendoline Davies was born at [[Llandinam]], herdaughter fatherof Edward beingDavies theand onlyhis sonwife Mary, who was the daughter of DavidEvan DaviesJones, ana [[industrialistCalvinistic Methodist]] minister.<ref>{{cite ODNB|id=39573|first=Ceridwen|last=Lloyd-Morgan|title=Davies, Gwendoline Elizabeth}}</ref> Edward was the only son of the industrialist and philanthropist [[philanthropistDavid Davies (industrialist)|David Davies]]. HerGwendoline's brother was [[David Davies, 1st Baron Davies]], was elevated to the [[Peerage]] in 1932 and her sister was [[Margaret Davies|Margaret]]. Both girls were educated at Highfield School in Hendon.
 
==Arts patronage==
Gwendoline and Margaret Davies bought the mansion of [[Gregynog]] just after the [[World War I|First World War]], and set up an arts centre there. In 1923 the sisters launched the [[Gregynog Press]], printing fine [[limited edition]]s in both [[English language|English]] and [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. ▼
===Art collection===
In 1908 while travelling in Europe, the sisters began to collect art. In particular, they purchased many works by the [[Impressionism|Impressionists]] and post-Impressionists, although they also acquired holdings of 20th-century modern artists, such as [[Josef Herman]], [[Oskar Kokoschka]], [[Augustus John]], [[Stanley Spencer]], [[Frank Brangwyn]], and [[Eric Gill]]. [[Hugh Blaker]], art collector who was curator of the [[Holburne Museum]] from 1905 – 1913 was an adviser to the Davies sisters and assisted in securing their vast art collection.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.holburne.org/events/i-am-art-in-bath/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150928181917/http://www.holburne.org/events/i-am-art-in-bath/| archive-date = 2015-09-28| title = The Holburne Museum – I am Art in Bath Trevor Fishlock}} </ref>
 
▲Gwendoline and Margaret Davies bought the mansion of [[Gregynog]] just after the [[First World War]], I|Firstfollowing Worldlong Wardiscussions with their lifelong friend [[Thomas Jones (civil servant)|Thomas Jones]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Ellis |first=Ted|title=T.J.: A Life of Dr Thomas Jones, CH |year=1992 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |page=246 |isbn=0-7083-1138-5}}</ref> and set up an arts centre there. In 1923 the sisters launched the [[Gregynog Press]], printing fine [[limited edition]]s in both [[English language|English]] and [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. Jones was chairman of the press throughout its existence.
About 1908 while traveling in Europe, the sisters began to collect art. In particular, they purchased many works by the [[Impressionism|Impressionists]] and post-Impressionists, although they also acquired holdings of 20th-century modern artists, such as [[Josef Herman]], [[Oskar Kokoschka]], [[Augustus John]], [[Stanley Spencer]], [[Frank Brangwyn]], and [[Eric Gill]]. They bequeathed their joint collection of 260 works to the [[National Museum of Wales]], forming the nucleus in the mid-20th century of its international art collection and greatly expanding its range. It has been called "one of the great British art collections of the 20th century."<ref>[http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/106/ Art: "Davies Sisters Collection"], National Museum Wales, accessed 13 Oct 2010</ref> Among these were seven oil paintings that had been bought as [[J M W Turner|Turner]]s (including [[The Beacon Light]]).<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/09/23/end-to-doubts-over-museum-s-turner-paintings-as-all-found-to-be-genuine-91466-31891905/ Wales Online]</ref> Three of these were subsequently judged to be fake and withdrawn from display. These works were re-examined by the BBC TV programme, [[Fake or Fortune]] where they were reinstated as genuine Turners. All seven paintings will now be exhibited together. ▼
 
===Music patronage - Gregynog Music Festival===
Whereas art was Margaret's passion, Gwen was a talented amateur [[musician]]. From 1933 to 1938, they sponsored the [[Gregynog Music Festival]] at their estate, a 33–4-4 day affair that included poetry readings. The festivals played host to important composers and other musical figures of the period, including [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]], [[Edward Elgar]], [[Gustav Holst]], "the conductor [[Adrian Boult]], and the poet [[Lascelles Abercrombie]]; and performers including [[Jelly d'Arányi]] and the [[Kolisch Quartet|Rothschild Quartet]]."<ref name=Gregynog>[http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1980/ Ragor: "Gregynog: Arts and Music for Wales"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111090950/http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1980/ |date=11 January 2013 }}, National Museum Wales, accessed 13 OctOctober 2010</ref>
 
The sisters ended the festival during the build-up to the [[World War II|Second World War]]. It was revived during 1955-19611955–1961 by [[Ian Parrott]], who was Gregynog Professor of Music at [[Aberystwyth]] for more than 30 years. The festival was revived again in 1988 by the tenor [[Anthony Rolfe Johnson]]. It continues under [[Rhian Davies]]'s direction.<ref name=Gregynog />
 
==Later life==
Neither of the sisters married. Gwen died in [[Oxford]]. Her ashes were buried at her birthplace of Llandinam, as were her sister's after her death in 19611963.
 
==Art legacy==
Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies should not be confused with the Hon. Gwendoline Rita Jean Davies (born 1929), the daughter of her brother, David Davies, 1st Baron Davies.▼
▲About 1908 while traveling in Europe, the sisters began to collect art. In particular, they purchased many works by the [[Impressionism|Impressionists]]1953 and post-Impressionists1961, althoughthe theyDavies alsosisters' acquired holdingscollection of 20th-century260 modernworks artists, such as [[Josef Herman]], [[Oskar Kokoschka]], [[Augustus John]], [[Stanley Spencer]], [[Frank Brangwyn]], and [[Eric Gill]]. Theywas bequeathed their joint collection of 260 works to the [[National Museum of Wales]], forming the nucleus in the mid-20th century of its international art collection and greatly expanding its range. It has been called "one of the great British art collections of the 20th century."<ref>[httphttps://wwwmuseum.museumwales.ac.ukwales/encollections/106art/davies-sisters/ Art: "Davies Sisters Collection"], National Museum Wales, accessed 1329 OctSeptember 2010</ref> Among these were seven oil paintings that had been bought as [[J. M. W. Turner|Turner]]s (including ''[[The Beacon Light]]'').<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/09/23/end-to-doubts-over-museum-s-turner-paintings-as-all-found-to-be-genuine-91466-31891905/ Wales Online]</ref> Three of these were subsequently judged to be fake and withdrawn from display. These works were re-examined by the BBC TV programme, [[Fake or Fortune]] where they were reinstated as genuine Turners. All seven paintings will now be exhibited together.{{When|date=January 2023}}{{Citation needed|reason=they currently aren't displayed together. Where is the reference to the TV show?|date=January 2023}}
 
*In 1967, the Davies Memorial Gallery was purpose-built in [[Newtown, Powys]] with a legacy left by the Davies sisters. In January 2003, after major refurbishment, the Gallery re-opened as [http://www.orieldavies.org Oriel Davies Gallery] in recognition of the sisters.▼
==Legacy and honours==
 
* 1937, Gwen Davies was created a [[Companion of Honour]].▼
==Honours==
* 1953 and 1961, the Davies Sisters collection was bequeathed to the National Museum Wales.
▲* 1937, Gwen Davies was created a [[CompanionMember of the Order of the Companions of Honour]].
▲* 1967, the Davies Memorial Gallery was purpose-built in [[Newtown, Powys]] with a legacy left by the Davies sisters. In January 2003, after major refurbishment, the Gallery re-opened as [http://www.orieldavies.org Oriel Davies Gallery] in recognition of the sisters.
 
* 1988, the Gregynog Festival was revived.
==Note==
▲Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies should not be confused with the Hon. Gwendoline Rita Jean Davies (born 1929), the daughter of her brother, David Davies, 1st Baron Davies.
 
==References==
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4751437.stm BBC]
 
{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
 
| NAME = Davies, Gwendoline
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1882
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1951
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davies, Gwendoline}}
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[[Category:People associated with Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales]]
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