Rex Whistler's mural at Plas Newydd

Blurred female visitor in the foreground looking at the Rex Whistler mural in the Dining Room at Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens, Anglesey, Wales. — Visitors looking at the Rex Whistler mural in the Dining Room at Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Plas Newydd is home to one of the largest and most well-known murals in the United Kingdom, painted by artist Rex Whistler. This ambitious and fantastical mural, over 17.5 metres long, was designed as an imaginary view from the windows of Plas Newydd House and Garden on Anglesey in Wales.

A student at the Slade School of Art

Rex Whistler created his first commissioned mural whilst still a student at the Slade School of Art in London. Once the mural was unveiled in the famous Tate Britain art gallery in 1927, he became very sought after. Whistler first visited Plas Newydd at Easter in 1936, and the commission was agreed that April.

Rex Whistler's paints and equipment at Plas Newydd, Anglesey, Wales | © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

Rex Whistler’s painting at Plas Newydd

Planning the mural

By July that same year, Rex created a smaller, detailed watercolour of the whole composition to plan out the mural. The commission is believed to have been the idea of Lady Marjorie, the wife of the 6th Marquess.

Complex compositions

Rex Whistler was a master of complex compositions that could deceive the eye. This European fantasy landscape encourages us to think we are standing at the edge of the sea on a paved promenade looking onto a stone jetty. In the distance is a coastal town featuring Roman architecture, along with identifiable British buildings, all backed by the mountains of Snowdonia.

The East front of Plas Newydd, Anglesey, Wales, viewed across the Menai Strait from Glan Faenol | © National Trust Images/Nick Meers

This playful scene was one of Whistler’s great masterpieces, and he even included a portrait of himself as a gardener with broom in hand.

A guest of the family

As well as a commissioned artist during his time at Plas Newydd, he was also a much-welcomed guest of the 6th Marquess’s family.

The Whistler Dining Room at Plas Newydd

The Whistler room at Plas Newydd was once a functioning dining room - in fact, it was once a series of smaller rooms that were knocked through to make one larger room. Other than a great view across the Menai Strait water, nothing made it stand out, let alone be a talking point. The wall of the dining room was brought to life with the large painted scene which is 17.5 metres long.

A life tragically cut short

Rex Whistler always intended to return to Plas Newydd after the Second World War to complete some of the unfinished details of the mural. Tragically, he was killed on his first day of active duty in France on 18 July 1944.

Today you can visit the Whistler mural as part of your visit to the house. The house is closed during the winter.