AUCTION OF ART COLLECTION

Evening Star, Issue 21783, 27 July 1934, Page 10

AUCTION OF ART COLLECTION

Messrs Park, Reynolds Limited have on exhibition at their rooms, High street, a collection of works of art, ninety-nine pieces in all, portion of the stock of the late Mr M. M'Cormick, the well-known art dealer and connoisseur, of Christchurch. Mr M'Cormick was well known in Dunedin, as he started his art career here, the firm being known as M'Cormick and Pugh, and after his removal to Christchurch he has from time to time held art sales in Dunedin. Mr M'Cormick died in April last, and the works now on view are to he sold by auction as part of his estate. Amongst the oils D. Sherriu has two striking works, ‘ Sunset,’ a seascape with brilliant light effects, and ‘ The Cornfield,’ so absolutely different in treatment and colour that, but for the signatures, one could hardly believe they were by the same artist. A. Carruthers Gould’s ‘ Incoming Tide ’ is a strong piece of work—a breakwater with fishing boats and smacks riding at anchor inside. Blythe Fletcher has in ‘ The Old Trader ’ done fine workevening light,' smoky atmosphere, a real ocean tramp at anchor but getting up steam. ‘ A Bit of New Zealand,’ by C. Gouldsmith, is one which is sure to attract attention —a seascape with rooky foreground, and in the middle distance our well-known coastline with tussock-covered slopes. C. Hey Campbell has one piece, ‘ An English Village,’ with old stone houses, cobbled street, and steps leading _to the water, in which ducks are swimming. J. A. Munier has a striking picture in ‘ An Eastern Doorway.’ The collection of water colours is much larger, and amongst them are some very fine works. Lee Hankey has two fine examples, ‘ Balloons ’ and ‘ Marchand de Legumes.’ ‘ Balloons ’ Is a bright, pleasing effort, the colouring fresh and clear. The vegetable seller is purely French, and cleverly drawn, sitting beside his table of vegetables with pumpkins on the ground, awaiting his customers. ‘Dutch Fishers,’ by S. Van Kunge, is a taking picture—fishing boats with brown bulls and blue-and-brown sails, drawn “ upon the bard,” and fishermen and fishwives bargaining for the catch. Two splendid flower pieces by Fourenzia are on the walls. The transparency of ‘ Roses and Carnations ’ as contrasted with the denser texture of 'Zinnias and Marigolds’ is most' noticeable. « Blythe Fletcher is represented by quite a number of works, all of merit, but the works of this artist which appear to be most striking are ‘ A Street Scene in Cairo,’ ‘ Evening Glow,’ and ‘ Ploughing in Yorkshire.’ The etchings as a whole are remarkably good, ‘ The Circus Tent,’ by Hesketh Hubbard, is good work. ‘ St. Paul’s Cathedral, South Porch,’ by C. Terry Fledge, is beautifully etched, and ‘ The Avenue,’ by C. Snapc, is wonderful in its depth and detail. Frank Brangwyn has one of his characteristic etchings, ' Wharfside, Thames,’ which is full of life. ‘ Lambeth Bridge,’ by Leslie M. Ward, ‘ The Shambles York,’ by E. Maybery, and * Trout Fishing,’ by Norman Wilkinson, are also wonderfully good. ‘ Nocturne,’ by S. Langdalo, is a striking example of this wellknown artist’s work. There are quite a number of French colour etchings, aquatints, and prints, also a Baxter print of ‘ Soldier’s Farewell,’ and a small number of interesting wood block prints. The collection will be on view until Wednesday afternoon, when the works will be submitted to auction.