Kyffin Williams ― The Light and the Dark

In Kyffin Williams' centenary year, this monograph examines the life and art of a man who, as a Royal Academician, achieved both professional success and a remarkable popular appeal. Best known for his rendering of the Welsh landscape, his use of thick impasto paint in blocks of often sombre colors brilliantly conjure the rugged terrain. In a career which spanned some six decades, the inspiration Williams drew from the topography of his homeland never diminished and he worked prolifically - a conservative estimate suggests that he produced some 6500 paintings. This passionate commitment to his craft was central to his character and helps us to understand his creative makeup in turn. Including discussion of his fine collection of portraits, this publication provides an indepth overview of Williams' career and probes areas of inspiration - specifically a European aesthetic - which has been inadequately explored to date. Featuring some of the finest examples of his impressive oeuvre, this book - scholarly robust and visually enticing - is an essential addition to the libraries of all those who appreciate the work of this important painter.

Rian Evans is a writer and critic. She has written about Kyffin Williams previously and was most recently the editor of the Collected Poems of John Ormond. Nicholas Sinclair is a photographer and was godson to Kyffin Williams. He has been active in promoting Kyffin Williams' career since the artist's death and photographed many of the works illustrated in this publication.