Culture Minister Mr Pugh said it was Sir Kyffin's final statement to the nation

Paul Joyner, of the National Library of Wales, met Sir Kyffin five weeks before his death and discussed the painting, Sunset over Anglesey, finished in 2004.

A black sky partially covering an orange sun was a clear sign he knew it was his final painting, said Mr Joyner.

Sir Kyffin died of cancer last month, aged 88. A Royal Academician, he died at a nursing home on Anglesey.

The work was unveiled in Aberystwyth by Culture Minister Alun Pugh.

Mr Joyner, speaking after the unveiling at the National Library, said he and a colleague visited Sir Kyffin on 27 July, when the painter revealed Sunset over Anglesey was influenced by the work of Greek painter Titian.

I knew that he knew he was dying, that was my interpretation Paul Joyner, art historian

"I asked Sir Kyffin if the painting had been influenced by Titian and he said yes. As soon as he said that, I knew that he knew he was dying, that was my interpretation." said Mr Joyner.

"He painted a black curtain over the sunset to illustrate that."

Mr Joyner said the National Library had paid �40,000 for the work.

Sir Kyffin died aged 88 last month

The library owns more than 300 paintings and sketches by Sir Kyffin, regarded as Wales' foremost artist.

Unveiling Sunset over Anglesey, Mr Pugh said Sir Kyffin was a "giant of the art world" and the painting was his "final statement to the nation".