Baron’s art top value

Press, 5 August 1980, Page 24

Baron’s art top value

When the Swiss industrialist, Baron ThyssenBornemisza, signed part of his formidable art collection into the temporary care of the New Zealand Government last week, he scored a number of firsts for this, country. For art lovers, the deal means the country will see later this year a oomprehensive collection of works by American and European masters. More than 100 paintings, dating from the 1860 s to last year, will be brought to New Zealand. Among the paintings are a Renoir, “Woman With Umbrella,” valued at SIM, and a Van Gogh, “Les Dechargeurs a Arie,” valued at S2M.

The collection will be the most valuable exhibtion to visit New Zealand. Recent art sales increased

its estimated value to more than S2SM. The Government will accept responsibility for any loss or damage to the paintings during their, exhibition and transport. The Defence Department would fly the collection in four consignments, said the director ’ of the National Art Gallery (Mr L. H. Beiringa), The Challenge Corporation has sponsored the tour. The Baron began acquiring this collection 15 years ago, after his father left him a collection of. old masters. These at present are on tour in Americ?..

Though he lives in Switzerland, the Baron has holdings in the United States estimated at SSOOM.‘ Part of his intent in collecting his modem masters was ,to compare works from Europe and

America, to have the styles confronf each other, he told the NZPA when he visited Wellington to sign the agreement. He said he collected art because he loved it, rather than as an investment. He said he had not enough time to see much New Zealand . art . during his two-day stay. He had a particular interest in Maori art but as yet he owned no pieces.

The. Baron offered the exhibition to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) when Mr Muldoon was in Bremen last year for the launching of the Shipping Corporation’s vessel . New Zealand Pacific. The collection had been booked for a tour of Australia, and arrangements were made to add New Zealand to the itinerary.

In Sep lumber the paintings will go on show at the National Art Gallery, Wellington. The Christchurch season, in the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, will open on November IL

While in New Zealand the Baron signed a deed allowing the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery, Museum and War Memorial to borrow the collection. The Government then signed a deed with the board indemnifying the paintings. Mr Beiringa said that New Zealand had now established valuable contacts in the art world, and there was a good chance that another major exhibition would come out within three years.