London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Welsh museum to ‘RE-FRAME’ portrait of Waterloo hero Picton after African diaspora group complains

Welsh museum to ‘RE-FRAME’ portrait of Waterloo hero Picton after African diaspora group complains

A portrait of Welsh general Sir Thomas Picton has been removed from the Faces of Wales gallery at the National Museum Wales. The war hero’s life as governor of Trinidad was deemed an issue by the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel.
On Tuesday, the Cardiff-based museum published a statement and video showing gallery workers taking down Sir Thomas Picton’s portrait from the institution’s Faces of Wales room. The picture will now be placed in storage, before being “being redisplayed and reinterpreted over the coming months.”

Picton, a three-star general who had been celebrated as a hero after his death at the Battle of Waterloo, was considered to have abused and mistreated slaves during his time as governor of Trinidad. During his lifetime, he was put on trial for approving the illegal torture of a 14-year-old girl. His conviction was eventually overturned by claiming Trinidad was subject to Spanish law, which allowed torture.

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the lieutenant-general’s legacy was further called into question, and Cardiff Council voted to remove a marble statue of him from its Hall of Heroes at City Hall.

In Tuesday’s statement, Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) said the decision to remove the painting after more than 100 years was part of an agenda dubbed Reframing Picton. The museum was advised by a youth-led initiative involving the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel (SSAP) and members of Amgueddfa Cymru.

“As we aim to build a Wales that is inclusive, built on the foundations of equality and one which focuses on community cohesion and appreciative of the different cultures that exist in our country,” Director of SSAP Fadhili Maghiya said in a statement.

Amgueddfa Cymru’s director of collections, Kath Davies, told the BBC that she wanted the SSAP to decide on the future of its painting, adding that two artists with Trinidadian roots had been commissioned to re-interpret the portrait. It will go on show in August, on Trinidad’s Independence Day.

Despite Picton’s blemished history, a number of Britons have registered their displeasure at the museum move. “I'm sorry, but who gave the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel control over which parts of our history we're allowed?” asked Robert Poll from Save Our Statues on Twitter, adding that the Welsh museum’s role was “shameful and spineless.”

Others concurred, with one noting that they thought they were supposed to learn from history. “How can that be if history is expunged?” they asked. Others noted that Picton gave his life for his country. “Removing his portrait bring shame on Wales,” they noted, directing their message at Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and asking, “are you happy with putting our history into storage?”

Prominent BBC News presenter Huw Edwards said he felt “uneasy” about the portrait’s removal, labelling it as “censoring.” “Should not Picton remain on display as a reminder to Wales of an aspect of its past - no matter how disgraceful?” the Welsh journalist asked.

The museum’s social media team were working overtime on Wednesday, responding to angered Britons and informing them the portrait will go on display again in the future, as noted in the original statement. Responding to Edwards, the museum stated that “the redisplay will include more about Picton's history - the good and the bad.”

Despite the explanation, many remain confused as to the role of the two commission artists of Trinidadian descent and what “re-framing” the portrait will mean.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×