© National Museum Cardiff
Gwen John: Strange Beauties
7 February 2026 — 28 June 2026
Ending SoonMajor retrospective of Welsh Post-Impressionist Gwen John — the first major survey in 40+ years, drawn from international collections.
From National Museum Cardiff
A major retrospective celebrating Welsh artist Gwen John's 150th birthday. Described as "a once-in-a-generation exhibition" and "the first major collection of her work in over forty years," the show explores how John "saw the world differently — quietly, attentively, and with extraordinary depth." Organised by Amgueddfa Cymru in partnership with National Galleries of Scotland, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Yale Center for British Art,...
Read more at National Museum Cardiff →Critic Reviews (2)
The Independent
Chloe Ashby
Gwen John: Strange Beauties review – Quietly intense studies of ordinary life
"She returned repeatedly to the same subjects and compositions – contemplative women, sparsely furnished interiors, still lifes, devoted churchgoers – and each time saw them through fresh and attentive eyes. The result is art that's sensitive but unsentimental, studious, and, yes, strangely beautiful."
Read full review →The Guardian
Jonathan Jones
Wales's great modern artist stuns us with the glory of solitude
"Their brilliance lies in what they don't show. There are no hats covered with fruit, no chatting crowds, no omnibus, none of the anecdotal details other British artists of her generation tended to get distracted by. John cuts out the social flab and paints the essence of inner experience."
Read full review →About the Artist
Visit
Cardiff·View on artmap
Sunday10am–5pm
MondayClosed
Tuesday10am–5pm
Wednesday10am–5pm
Thursday10am–5pm
Friday10am–5pm
Saturday10am–5pm
© National Museum Cardiff
Gwen John: Strange Beauties
7 February 2026 — 28 June 2026
Ending SoonMajor retrospective of Welsh Post-Impressionist Gwen John — the first major survey in 40+ years, drawn from international collections.
From National Museum Cardiff
A major retrospective celebrating Welsh artist Gwen John's 150th birthday. Described as "a once-in-a-generation exhibition" and "the first major collection of her work in over forty years," the show explores how John "saw the world differently — quietly, attentively, and with extraordinary depth." Organised by Amgueddfa Cymru in partnership with National Galleries of Scotland, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Yale Center for British Art,...
Read more at National Museum Cardiff →Critic Reviews (2)
The Independent
Chloe Ashby
Gwen John: Strange Beauties review – Quietly intense studies of ordinary life
"She returned repeatedly to the same subjects and compositions – contemplative women, sparsely furnished interiors, still lifes, devoted churchgoers – and each time saw them through fresh and attentive eyes. The result is art that's sensitive but unsentimental, studious, and, yes, strangely beautiful."
Read full review →The Guardian
Jonathan Jones
Wales's great modern artist stuns us with the glory of solitude
"Their brilliance lies in what they don't show. There are no hats covered with fruit, no chatting crowds, no omnibus, none of the anecdotal details other British artists of her generation tended to get distracted by. John cuts out the social flab and paints the essence of inner experience."
Read full review →About the Artist
Visit
Cardiff·View on artmap
Sunday10am–5pm
MondayClosed
Tuesday10am–5pm
Wednesday10am–5pm
Thursday10am–5pm
Friday10am–5pm
Saturday10am–5pm