GIFT TO AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 142, 18 June 1930, Page 8

GIFT TO AUCKLAND.

SEVENTY MEDICI PRINTS. OLD MASTER PAINTINGS. MR. MOSS DAVIS' GENEROSITY. | f A gift of outstanding importance to the citizens of Auckland has been made by Mr. Moss Davis, of London, who has become a regular benefactor of the Art Gallery. His latest gift consists of a selection of 70 examples in reproduction of old master paintings issued by the Medici Society. The gift had its origin during the great exhibition of Italian art held in London last year. At that time Mr. Moss Davis wrote to the director of the Art Gallery inquiring if a selection of the Italian pictures issued by the Medici Society would be acceptable; if so, he would be pleased to send them. 'Mr. Barr immediately replied that not only would the Italian reproductions be acceptable, but examples of the other schools of painting would also be welcomed, and would fill a long-felt want. Mr.- Davis' response to this is a letter just to hand notifying that he has secured a collection of 70 pictures, comprising 20 examples of Italian masters. 20 English, 20 Dutch and 10 of the French and Germgn schools of painting. These he has arranged to have framed in the special manner suitable to the pictures of the Medici Society, and when ready they will be shipped to Auckland. Boon to Auckland Students. This generous gift of Mr. Davis is one of the most important that has been made to the gallery for some time, New Zealand being so far removed from the centres of art, it is difficult for students of art to se& examples of old master paintings, but to have facsimile reproductions is a boon which all will appreciate, and the Medici prints, which are as nearly perfect as human skill can make them, provide a means of appreciating the work of the great masters of 'the past. The collection includes examples of the following artists:—Van Eyck, Franz Hals, Van der Weyden, Hobbema, Pieter de Hooch, -Rembrandt, Ruysch, Ruysdael, Jan Steon, Terborch, Vermeer, Bellini, Botticelli, Giorgione, Filippo Lippi, Canaletto, Corrcggio, Cossa, P. della Francesco, Mantegna, Domenico di Michelino, Raphael, Guido Reni, Titian, Leonarde da Vinci, L. F. Abbott, Constable, Gainsborough, Hoppner, Lawrence, Peters, Raeburn, Reynolds, Romney, Turner, Wilson, Corofc, Lancret, Lebrun, Watteau, Durer, Holbein, Zucchcro and Velasquez. Gallery Already Overcrowded. "Such gifts as these are very welcome," said the Mayor, Mr. Geo. Baildon, "but they are placing a heavy responsibility upon the citizens to find accommodation for them in an already overcrowded gallery. Whatever the difficulties are, however, they will have to be overcome in this case, first because of the value and importance these pictures have to students and all persons interested in art, and secondly, to show the donor that his generous gifts are appreciated by the citizens of Auckland, in whom he hae shown such perennial interest."