Portrait of Francis Richards, the artist's wife

In 1924 Ceri Richards left Swansea for the Royal College of Art in London. Here at a Christmas dance in 1928 he met his future wife, Frances Clayton, who had won a scholarship to the college from Burslem, near Stoke-on-Trent, previously having worked as a designer at the Paragon China Works (later taken over by Royal Doulton). After their marriage in 1929, Frances helped to support the family by teaching in art schools while her husband earned his living as a church organist and art teacher.

Two portraits of Frances from 1930-32 are in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff and the Glynn Vivian Museum and Art Gallery, Swansea.