H E R I T A G E

T H E N A T I O N A L M U S E U M C A R D I F F
Our first stop was the museum. This museum which is also an art gallery has a collection of archaeology, botany,
art, zoology and geology. There is a large collection of Old Master paintings in Cardiff which includes,
among other amazing works, The Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and St Francis by Amico Aspertini,
The Poulterer’s Shop by Frans Snyders, A Calm by Jan van de Cappelle and the list goes on.
We were particularly struck by Rembrandt’s Portrait of Catharina Hooghsaet, who was a wealthy lady from
the 16th century. In the painting, she sits in an arm-chair, on which both her arms are stretched out, staring
straight towards the left. She holds a handkerchief in her right hand and wears a black gown with a plain flat
white collar and a white cap, covering her hair. The dark background, the blank facial expression gave the
painting an almost eerie and enigmatic feel to it. It was the kind of painting I would have all over my dark and
gloomy mansion, if I had one. If you are into art, this museum is a must.