ARTISTIC EYE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 7

ARTISTIC EYE.

ROVING NEW ZEALAND.

ENGLISHMAN'S IMPRESSIONS

TREASURES IN GALLERIES

"I have found New Zealand a very interesting country," said Mr. 11. Allen, an English art collector, who is at present on a visit to Auckland. Mr. Allen has also been prominency associated with the work of the Young Men's Christian Association in England, and has called at the various Y.M.C.A. headquarters on his travels.

For a young country Mr. Allen considers that New' Zealand has made wonderful progress in art, and he has seen pictures in. Dominion galleries which would be treasured in any of the European art centres. He said that the Auckland gallery was fortunate in having some fine specimens from great palettes, and works by eminent artists like Lord Leigliton, T. B. Hardy, and

Sydney CoopeT needed no comment. He noted that Turner's "Venice" is not signed, and Mr. Allen recalled that that great'painter said on one occasion, "Sir, my work is signed all over."

Air. Allen said that a number of the subjects typifying New Zealand were excellently treated, pictures of merit being "The Passing of the Maori," "Portrait of William Swanson," "A Northern Creek," and "Otira Gorge." The latter two were bqputifully treated. Mr. Allen visited Wanganui to see the Sergeant Gallery there, and considers that the collection, although small, is good. He felt, however, that Wanganui had something to learn about the hanging of pictures. A large picture, "I*light Into Egypt," should be in a better light, and one of the Leverliulme gift pictures liad the misleading title, "The loast Is Britain." The particular picture was well known at Home under its right name, "The Toast Is England." Wanganui could boast a Millet, and in addition had a fine example of the work of David Murray in "The Trossachs." a picture which would be valued in any gallery in the world.

Mr. Allen said that it was pleasing to find that in New Zealand the study of art was being fosteredbbyv y educational authorities, and although the scope might possibly be limited, he felt sure that it was tuition on the right lines. The visitor's artistic eye has roved appreciatively over the flower beds and grass plots in the parks of the NewZealand cities.

Incidentally, Mr. Allen mentioned the fine art collection in Sydney, and he had nothing Ijut praise for that city's public reser\es. He had heard Sydney's claim that it was the Garden of Eden, but, added the visitor whimsically, "I fear that it is more like the period after old Adam had partaken of the forbidden fruit."