Swansea University Art Collection

Snowdon, Snow, Penrhyn Du by Sir Kyffin Williams

This large oil painting on canvas by Sir Kyffin Williams depicts a view from the headland in north west Wales, near the village of Abersoch. 

Widely regarded as one of Wales’ most important 20th century artists, Williams is above all remembered for his lyrical paintings of Welsh landscapes and cottages. Using a palette knife and thick impasto paint richly applied in blocks of strong colours and contrasting sombre tones, he succeeded in capturing the often-turbulent weather on the rugged Welsh landscape. His atmospheric, powerful paintings have a dramatic and brooding quality that, for many, defines the Welsh landscape, and in particular the north Wales landscape.