PRINTS AND DRAWINGS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30316, 17 December 1963, Page 19

PRINTS AND DRAWINGS

Reproductions Of Dutch Work

The drawings fare better than the prints in the exhibition of reproductions of Dutch landscape drawings and prints of the seventeenth century at the McDougall Art Gallery. The reproductions, apparently photographs, soften the sharp lines of the etchings and engravings so much that the prints lose much of their sparkle and vitality. Better reproductions of prints can be seen in books and good original prints of this period have been shown here in previous exhibitions.

Nevertheless, there are some. interesting things, notably a group of dry points by Rembrandt and works by Esias and Jan van de Velde and Willem Buytewech. There are some notable works by Rembrandt, the van de Veldes, Albert Cuyp and Gerard Terboch among the drawings, but many of the others suffer from monotone reproduction, although a few are reproduced in colour.

The exhibition comes from the Netherlands Legation by way of the National Art Gallery. Ten years ago it might have been welcome, but we have become too much accustomed to better exhibitions, such as those from the Auckland City Art Gallery, for these variable reproductions to arouse much enthusiasm. —J N.K.