John Brett in Wales: A Pre-Raphaelite Artist Inspired by the Coast of Wales

Over the past fifteen years, there has been considerable new research into the life and work of the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Brett (1831–1902) which has resulted in a re-assessment particularly of his later career, with new light being shed on his landscape painting practice and his charming and individual portraits. In particular, the brilliance of his later marine painting has now been fully recognised, as well as the vital inspiration that the shoreline of Wales gave to this painter as his mature style developed. In this lecture, I will outline my involvement in this revival of interest in John Brett’s work, which began some fifteen years ago now. In early 2000, I took up the role of Head of Fine Art at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff and was presented with the opportunity to look in detail at some of Brett’s marine paintings and to consider a selection of the patrons who appreciated and purchased these works.

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