South Front of Margam House, Glamorgan. British School, Oil on canvas. c.1700 Margam House was created out of the domestic buildings of the Cistercian abbey of Margam during the 16th and 17th centuries. Sir Rice Mansel acquired Margam after the monastery was dissolved in 1537. His grandson Sir Thomas Mansel completed the conversion of its buildings into the 'fair and sumptuous house' seen here. It remained the largest and most important country house in Glamorgan until it was demolished around 1790.
The South side of Margam House was the entrance front. The house is set in a deer park and surrounded by orchards and formal gardens. At the bottom of the painting, travellers make their way past its gates, while a group of people are playing bowls in front of the Banqueting House on the upper right.
Purchased with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fund, 2012. NMW A 29925