Wales’ most celebrated travel writer, Jan Morris, was honoured with a posthumous portrait at the launch of a festival dedicated to her memory.

On November 26, a portrait of the acclaimed journalist, historian and author was unveiled at the Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth.

The portrait, by Welsh artist and painter Dan Llywelyn Hall, was commissioned as part of the inaugural Amdani, Fachynlleth! (Let’s Go, Machynlleth!), a travel and literature festival dedicated to the memory of Jan Morris.

The oil painting, measuring 122cm by 84cm was made from extensive video footage and photographic archives of Jan’s life.

Dan Llywelyn Hall said: “I never met Jan in person but corresponded with her over a few years. A sense of her demeanour and physical presence alluded me, but I did feel close after trawling through footage, photos and audio recordings.”

Described by the BBC as “one of the finest writers Britain has produced in the post war era”, Jan Morris’ illustrious career spanned seven decades.

As a journalist she was an accompanying correspondent for the 1953 expedition to Mount Everest, breaking the news of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s successful ascent to the summit. She also played a pivotal role in the 1956 Suez Crisis by uncovering lies told by the British and French governments regarding their invasion of Egypt. In 1961 she reported on the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.

In the 1960s Morris began writing travel journals, covering places she found inspirational. Her books on Venice, Oxford, Spain and many others, sought to capture the history, style and spirit of these locations.

Her personal life was equally remarkable. Having been assigned male at birth, Morris began transitioning to life as a woman in 1964, undergoing sex reassignment surgery in 1972.

As same sex marriage was not legal at the time, Jan and her wife Elizabeth, first married in 1949, were required to divorce. They remained together after the surgery and entered a civil partnership in 2008.

Morris died on November 20, 2020, with the unveiling of her portrait at Machynlleth marking just over a year since her passing.

Her son, Twm Morris, was also present at the unveiling.

Jan Morris son Twm (right) with portrait artist Dan Llwelyn Hall (left)

Jan Morris' son Twm (right) with portrait artist Dan Llwelyn Hall (left)

Unveiling the portrait of Jan Morris at the Wynnstay Hotel.

Unveiling the portrait of Jan Morris at the Wynnstay Hotel.