The King presents the Royal Charter to Frank Gilbertson, first President of the University College of Swansea on 19th July, 1920

Title: The King presents the Royal Charter to Frank Gilbertson, first President of the University College of Swansea on 19th July, 1920
Creator: Percy Gleaves (large painting photographed by Swansea University Library, detail photographed by Dr. David Hugh Jones) and stone photographed by Dr. David Hugh Jones.
Date: 1920
Description: This enormous canvas (top) by Percy Gleaves (1882-1944) hangs on the landing of Singleton Abbey, having recently been restored.

Before laying the foundation stone (bottom left), King George V presents the Royal Charter to Frank Gilbertson, first President of the University College of Swansea. The foundation stone was subsequently “lost” in the Swansea Corporation yard for 17 years [15, p. 89] until it was re-laid in the wall of the 1937 Library (bottom right), the first purpose-built permanent building to be constructed on the campus.

The hefty chains holding the stone suggest industrial heavy engineering – not inappropriate to the founders of the institution. The sunny parkland setting and rather naive style of the painting add to the air of symbolism.
Rights Holder: Swansea University