The creation of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery was made possible when in 1905 Richard Glynn Vivian offered his collection of paintings, drawings and china to the City with an endowment of £10,000. The donor laid the foundation stone himself in 1909, but it was after his death that the Gallery was formally opened in 1911, with ‘great enthusiasm and gaiety’. The building was designed by Glendinning Moxham in ‘Edwardian baroque’ style. William Grant Murray, director of the Swansea Art School, became the Gallery’s first director; since 1951 the Gallery has had its own Curator.
Richard Glynn Vivian’s collection, like most private collections, was eclectic. By donations – including the Deffett Francis collection of prints and drawings and the K. S. Meager bequest of Swansea china – and by purchases the Gallery’s holdings have become more representative of the range of European art, while remaining rich in the work of local artists.
The Gallery also presents loan exhibitions and events, and has an educational programme.
