PORTRAIT GALLERY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 228, 23 June 1936, Page 6

PORTRAIT GALLERY

Nucleus of a National Collection

One of the large galleries in the permanent collection of pictures at the National Art Gallery devoted to portraits has already received its quota, or practically so, and the hanging committee has done its work well. There has been no effort to crowd too many paintings into the space. In other words, all the portraits are on the line, the centre of each being approximately 4ft 6m. above the floor level of the gallery. These portraits, placed flat against the burlap-covered walls in the admirable light provided by the angle windows, are now seen to the best advantage. ■ " . '

The collection provides the nucleus of 'an interesting collection. They are the portraits, either full-length, half-' len'gth, or mere head and shoulders, of men more or less, well, known' locallyand. in some. instances, famous in a, wider sphere. One need only mention the admirable portrait of Lord Rutherford, one of the foremost scientists of the day. who was born at Nelson. Other portraits are those of Lord Bledisloe, Professor Shelley, the late Sir, Robert Stout, Sir James Mills, Mr. C. D. Barraud, Sir Truby King, Archbishop Redwood, Sir Francis Bell. Sir Harold Beauchamp (who has been such a warm supporter of the National Gallery project), and two small portraits of Maori subjects by Mr. Linley Richardson, formerly art instructor at the Wellington Technical College and now of Palmerston North.

There is also the gift portrait of his Majesty King George V, which is at present hanging in the ,main gallery, where it will probably remain until after the opening month. These should form the basis of an interesting gallery of portraits. Others which may come within the next year are those of Queen Mary (which is to be presented to the gallery 'by the women of New Zealand). Mr. George Troup, one of the prime movers in the building of the gallery, and Major-General Sir Andrew Russell. K.C.8., K.C.M.G., of Hawke’s Bay (which the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association proposes to present to the gallery). A year ago the idea of instituting some memorial to the late Dr. Cockayne, the eminent botanist, was discussed. One way of memorialising this distinguished man of science would be to have his portrait in the gallery. The suggestion opens out a wide field for speculation, as there are many people whose portraits should, perhaps, find a place in a national gallery such as this. but. unfortunately, unless such .nortraits are donated (providing they were of the desired artistic standard) they w-ould. in the majority of cases, have to be painted from photographs, which is never quite as satisfactory as from life. One might mention as worthy of inclusion portraits of such men as Governor Hobson. Marsden, Bishop Pompallier, Sir George Grey, Earl Jellicoe, the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon the Rt. Hon. Wm. Massey, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (the first airman to fly the Pacific), and, of course.-the present King, and his brotilers, the Duke of York, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent. Such a list could go on ad infinitum, but good portraits in oils of such people would certainly grace a New Zealand national gallery.