FOR AUCKLAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1932, Page 8

FOR AUCKLAND

GIFTS FROM MR. MOSS DAVIS. NOTABLE FRENCH PAINTING. Nine vases of statues, ivory miniatures and pictures sent out by Mr. Moss Davis for the pleasure of the citizens of Auckland, arrived by the Renmera yesterday. There is a statue of Venus, which Mr. Davis would like to see gracing the entrance of the Art Gallery, and four representing the seasons.

Included in the consignment is an oil painting by Roslin, but the subject is not mentioned in the advice received by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. Mr. Davis' 'letter states that Alexandre Roslin was a portrait painter born in Malmc, Sweden, in 1718. He died in Paris in 1703. He was prominent in his rime, and for that reason his work was much in demand by members of the French nobility and society. He painted the. portrait of Fγ. Boucher, Charles Nicholas, Cochin, etc. His work, states the letter, is full of light and life. His style of painting the arms resembles very much the school of Boucher. Roslin entered the Academy in 1753, and his paintings were shown in all exhibitions, even in 1791. "In a few words," concludes Mr. Davis, -'Alexandre Roslin was one of the foremost painters of the French school of the 18th century. This work is a masterpiece, and I might mention that since I purchased it I have been approached not to let it leave France." Another painting forwarded by Mr. Moss Davis is of Napoleon.