Gower & Mumbles - Arts

Artist Ernst Neuschul, who painted David Rhys Grenfell who sat for him in this painting, titled simply D. R. Grenfell, 1939 (below). The painting was painted in gratitude for what David Grenfell had done for him. Czech born Neuschul, a German Expressionism artist, was, at the outbreak of the Second World War, a Professor of Fine Arts at Berlin’s Academy of Fine Arts. He was placed on the Black List compiled by the Nazis. It was through his friend David Grenfell that the Neuschul family were able to escape on the last train to leave Czechoslovakia bound for the UK. Initially, once here in the UK, the family lived in Mumbles, residing at Brooklyn Terrace.  Peter Neuschul, the son attended the local school at Oystermouth.

D. R. Grenfell, 1939 by Ernst Neuschul

 

David Rhys Grenfell, one of the Equivocation of Politicians was a Labour Member of Parliament repre-senting the Gower constituency from 1922 to 1959. One title he held which is significant to this article is the Father of the House, from 8th October 1952 to 8th October 1959. The title is bestowed to the senior member of the House of Commons, who has had the longest continuous service. The first Father was Sir John Fagg in 1701. The incumbent holder is Sir Peter Bottomley. Other Fathers with local and Welsh connections have been Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot from 1874 to 1890, Alan Williams from 2005 to 2010. He was one of the principal individuals, who were involved with Swansea obtaining city status. David Lloyd George was a Father from 1929 to 1945.