To Aid Children

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30882, 15 October 1965, Page 22

To Aid Children

This painting of the “Three Wise Men” is one of 19 contributed by 15 internationally famous artists for the 1965 series of U.N.I.C.E.F. greeting cards. Proceeds from the sale of the cards in more than 100 countries help the agency in its many programmes of aid to children throughout the world. “The Three Wise Men” was painted by the Italian artist Beni Montressor, Who is considered one of the most outstanding stage, film and costume designers of today. A writer of fables for the Italian radio, Montressor met with immediate success in America as a children’s book illustrator and author. The painting for U.N.I.C.E.F. is characteristic of his unique style. Swirling linear patterns and vivid primary colours are richly combined to create a sun-drenched interpretation of the Biblical theme. Other paintings for the series came from the United Kingdom, Spain, Russia, Denmark, the United States, France, Israel and Senegal. Among them are contributions from the famous French artist Raoul Duffy, who painted a watercolour of the United Nations before his death in 1953, and the American painter Andrew Wyeth, who contributed a

watercolour of his Chadds Ford home.

Each year about £2500 is raised in New Zealand by the sale of U.N.I.C.E.F. greeting cards. They will be on sale in Christchurch this year each Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4 Hereford place. There is also a mail order service, using P.O. Box 2382, Christchurch.