GIFT PAINTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 257, 31 October 1933, Page 9

GIFT PAINTING.

NEW ZEALAND'S SACRIFICE. FAMOUS PICTURE "CARILLON." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . WELLINGTON, this day. At a meeting of the board of trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum to-day the Prime Minister, who presided, announced that a cablegram had been received from the. High Commissioner in London intimating that Lord Wakefield of Hythe has purchased Captain Longstaff's" famous painting "Carillon," symbolising New Zealand's heroic sacrifice in the Great War. It is a magnificent picture and Lord Wakefield has requested the Prime Minister to accept the same on behalf of the people of New Zealand. Mr. Forbes stated that he was dispatching a reply asking the High Commissioner to convey the following message to Lord Wakefield: "The High Commissioner has informed me of your.most generous presentation of Captain Longstaff's famous painting 'Carillon,' symbolising New Zealand's sacrifices in the Great War. On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand I have very great pleasure in accepting the painting and desire to express -to you our deep appreciation of your munificent gift, which constitutes further practical evidence of your Lordship's continued interest in this Dominion. The picture will be hung in our new National Art Gallery, now in course of erection, and will form a most appropriate and valuable addition to the works of art to be housed therein." •

Captain William Longstaff was an official artist v/ith the Australian Imperial Force in the Great War and has been resident for a number of years in England. Hie. first outstanding picture was a symbolical painting designed to commemorate the opening of the Menin Gate at Ypres. This represented the gate by moonlight and in the foreground appeared a phantom army of the thousands of dead. It is believed, that the painting referred to in the cablegram depicts a similar phantom army grouped round the tower of the Wellington War Memorial carillon.