Canaletto's 'The Stonemason’s Yard' at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
DESCRIPTION
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, is a library for Wales and the world, where you can view the nation's treasures.
From books to art, manuscripts to audio visual archives, you can discover the story of Wales, enjoy events and exhibitions, or register and browse the collections in the Reading Room. There's something for everyone.
Some of the National Gallery’s collection has travelled to Aberystwyth before, and the National Library of Wales will foreground this connection.
‘Delfryd a Diwydiant | Idyll and Industry’, featuring 'The Stonemason’s Yard', embodies two themes: Wales as a safe haven during the Second World War (using archive footage of the slate mines of Manod, where National Gallery paintings were housed during the war); and the artistic and thematic links between the painting and topography of Wales, industry, and Welsh life.
We’d love to hear from you! Tell us about your experience.
Welsh audio description of Canaletto's 'The Stonemason’s Yard'
Audio description of Canaletto's 'The Stonemason’s Yard'
Curator's introduction to Canaletto's 'The Stonemason’s Yard'
Stop 1, Canaletto in Aberystwyth.
An introduction to Canaletto’s masterpiece, which transports us to the industrial landscapes of Wales. With Jamie Thomas, Exhibition Officer at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.Stop 2, Canaletto in Aberystwyth.
We walk into a cave in Aberystwyth - an echoing cavern that housed art treasures from the National Gallery during World War Two. In the central chamber, we reflect on Canaletto’s depiction of everyday working class life in Venice, in the company of Mari-Elin Jones, interpretation officer at the National Library of Wales.Stop 3, Canaletto in Aberystwyth.
Venetian idyll merges with the sounds of industry in Canaletto’s painting. It’s a combination which has inspired an exhibition celebrating Welsh landscapes, both idyllic and industrial. This guide walks us through the exhibition, where the idyllic Welsh landscape collides with the rougher beauty of coal mines and steel works. With Mari-Elin Jones.Stop 4, Canaletto in Aberystwyth.
We discover how the Canaletto painting has inspired a community project with teenagers in the industrial community of Manod in North Wales. With Jamie Thomas, Exhibitions Officer.Stop 1, Canaletto in Aberystwyth, Welsh Language
An introduction to Canaletto’s masterpiece, which transports us to the industrial landscapes of Wales. With Jamie Thomas, Exhibition Officer at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. Audio and transcript are in Welsh.Stop 2, Canaletto in Aberystwyth, Welsh Language
Welsh Language. We walk into a cave in Aberystwyth - an echoing cavern that housed art treasures from the National Gallery during World War Two. In the central chamber, we reflect on Canaletto’s depiction of everyday working class life in Venice, in the company of Mari-Elin Jones, interpretation officer at the National Library of Wales.Stop 3, Canaletto in Aberystwyth, Welsh Language
Welsh Language. Venetian idyll merges with the sounds of industry in Canaletto’s painting. It’s a combination which has inspired an exhibition celebrating Welsh landscapes, both idyllic and industrial. This guide walks us through the exhibition, where the idyllic Welsh landscape collides with the rougher beauty of coal mines and steel works. With Mari-Elin Jones.Stop 4, Canaletto in Aberystwyth, Welsh Language
Welsh Language. We discover how the Canaletto painting has inspired a community project with teenagers in the industrial community of Manod in North Wales. With Jamie Thomas, Exhibitions Officer.