LECTURE BY DR TRENDALL

Evening Star, Issue 23335, 3 August 1939, Page 7

LECTURE BY DR TRENDALL

CLASSICAL COLLECTIONS OF THE OTAGO MUSEUM

Yesterday afternoon Dr Dale Trendall lectured in thd upper gallery of the Fels Wing to members of the Association of Friends of the Aluseum on classical pottery in the Otago Aluseum collections. "About 80 were present.' Mr Willi Fels was in the chair, and welcomed Dr Trendall, whom he described as probably the most distinguished graduate in arts of the University of Otago. Dr Trendall said that the classical collections here stood second in Australasia to those at Sydney, but that at their present rate of growth they promised soon tp take first place. Ho said it would not be possible ever to make a collection here of classical sculpture.' hut he was sure that with the support of the Association of Friends of the Aluseum an important collection might be made illustrating the range and achievement of Greek potters and artists. He thought that two special purposes might be served by such a collection: firstly, the instruction of University students, who must be able to inspect and handle work of the artists of classical times if they are able to understand them; and, secondly, the education of the public by showing work of one of the great periods of art. Dr Trendall surveyed the history of the potter’s art in Eastern Alediterranean lands, commencing with the Bronze Age material from Cyprus recently presented by Mrs AI. Allen, developing through the geometric style, and culminating in attic work about 480 b.c. In that style the Otago Museum had a splendid white lekythos presented by the Association of Friends of the Aluseum, which he thought was the finest piece of Greek pottery in the Southern Hemisphere. Another excellent piece was the jug with black figure centaur. He felt an especial personal interest in the aryballos presented, with other material, by Air David Theomin, since this piece was in the most characteristic style of Paestum. in Southern Italy, a local school to which ho had devoted some years of study. _ In moving a vote of thanks. Dr H. D. Skinner said that Dr Trendall had helped the Museum greatly bv securing for the classical department a number of pieces, some of them of high merit. Some of these would be on view within the next week or two. but the best of them would h<* ■>+ till later.