MODERN PRINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1937, Page 10

MODERN PRINTS.

EMPIRE ART COLLECTION.

WORK BY PROMINENT ARTISTS. One of the finest collections of modern prints and drawings seen in Auckland is the loan collection from the Contemporary Art Society which was opened in the Auckland Art Gallery to-day. The prints were specially selected for the collection of the British Museum, and it'is the first occasion on which a collection of this character been lent out of England. Etchings, lithography, wood engravings, line engravings on copper, lino, cuts and drawings are represented in a range of work which, for excellence of craftsmanship and originality of invention and obtlook, combines all that is best in modern expression. Among the 120 exhibits appear works by outstanding artists of to-day. Stanley Anderson, A.R.A., and Robert Austen are well represented. Eric Gill's wood engravings are excellent examples of this well-known artist's work. "Misty Morning," by Edmund Blampied, "Vezelay," by Malcolm Osborne, R.A., woodcuts by Gwendolen Raverat, drypoints by Henry Rushbury, R.A., "The Hurdle Makers," by Ethelbert White, are works to be admired. Other names that will attract attention; and who are excellently represented, are John Austen, Ethel Gabain, Ernest Lumsden, lan McNab, Frederick Marriot, Lucien pissarro, Charles W. Taylor, Maurice de Vlaminck and the Australian artist, Lionel Lindsay. : Two beautiful white-line drawings by I ! Leonard Beaumont, a white-line wood engraving by Frank F. Medworth, and portrait by Solomon Yudosin display this method at its best. For sheer vigour and freedom Pearl Binder's lithograph, "St. PeteT's, Rome," a large woodcut by Emma Bormann, and "Baboons," a drawing by Ludwig Jungnickel, are'splendid, and the dash and freedom of the aqtiatints by Max Pollak, the strength and rhythm of "Ice Hockey," by Lill Tschudi, and "High Swing," by Cyril Power, will make a strong appeal.

Charming and sympathetic is the rendering of "Lace Maker," a colour print by YJia Sokolov. As an example of free pen work attention is directed to "Leicester Square" by C. M. Pearce. The influence of Japanese design ie strongly shown in "The Breakwater" by lan Chane, and « fascinating Oriental pattern and cftlour is seen in "Paradise," by Oscar Laske. Mention must also be made Of striking water colour "Chemin de Montague," by Willy Eisenschitl,- and of two lino, colour prints which are' abstractions of stilllife, by Ronald Grierson. V

Another piece of work which will attract attention is a large wood engraving, "Christ on the Mount of Olives," after El Greco, by Edwin G'reenman. It is interesting to note a print of Laura Knight's "Gemini," an aquatint of considerable merit. A copy of this print was acquired far the Auckland Gallery from the recent exhibition of prints loaned by the 21 Gallery. A copy of another print on exhibition by Vincent Lines was presented to the gallery by the Senefelder Club recently. j