"ART IN NEW ZEALAND"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 57, 8 March 1930, Page 21

"ART IN NEW ZEALAND"

Charles Meryon—the man, his short sojourn in New Zealand, and his workis the principal subject in "Art in New Zealand" for March. Dora Wilcox furnishes a concise and informative.-bio-graphical.'notice of the etcher, with, special reference to his coming to New Zealand in 1842 in the French corvette Ehin, and his stay at the little settlement of his countrymen at Akaroa. The art of Meryon is specifically dealt with in an unsigned article modestly described by the writer as an "outline" and incorporating the opinions—not always favourable —of authorities on etching in general, making, special reference to Meryon's works.' In fluent blank verse "C" tells of "Meryon in. the South," and what he might, or rather might not have done had he stayed. Purchased and grassed his section, bred his sons, . Pastured his stock, and watched the cocksfoot spread, and Spent a leisure Sunday, afternoon Painting a signboard for the local pub. With sound judgment the editors have made the most of their available material illustrative of Meryon's work, and include the famous "Le Styge," or gargoyle of Notre. Dame, with the Tour St. Jacques in the middle distance; "The Morgue" and "L'Absidc, Notre Dame," as well as etchings of Akaroa as it was in 1845, and some etchings of scenes iv the Pacific Islands visited by, the Ehin, together with the cover etched by Meryon for. his intended "Voyage a la Nouvellc Zelande," dated 1806. J?or some of tho reproductions, "Art in New Zealand" is much indebted (as are its readers) to possessors of originals, including the " Turubull Library, Messrs. J. M. Ilott, H. Hides, and J. Boyd Carpenter. The fine portrait of Meryon, etched by Bracqueniard, is also included. A misprint occurs in the titling of the sketch of tho malformed fungus described as "Le Malingre Cryptogramme," and the error is repeated in the index. Bold, strong work, vibrant in colour, is reproduced in "Christ at Jacob's Well in Samaria," a decorative painting on wood by B. N. Field, A.R.C.A.; "The Kaikoura Coast," in a stiff breeze, by A. P. Nicoll; and a very successful printing of Miss D. K. Richmond's impressive water colour drawing of "Mount Sefton''; and with Lucretia Johnston's water colour drawing of the garden at Frimley. Students' work from Wellington Technical College; a survey of chamber music by John Bishop, verse by Gwen Merrett and John Dene; examples of photographic- art; criticism of the recent books of New Zealand verse, n short Maori story by Joyce West, go towards making full,, varied, representative, and interesting number of "Art in Now Zealand,"