A HOLBEIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 21 February 1920, Page 7

A HOLBEIN

IN A COLLECTION AT TE KUITI Many I.ovens of art in the Dominion have had the opportunity of inspecting the rather remarkable collection of pictures the property of Dr. Zoebel of To Kuiti. It is one of the finest private collections in New Zealand,, comprising several gems by old masters. But by a rather curious coincidence it would appear that the value of the collection, rich as i| was before. was considerably enhanced a day or so ago. One of the largest pictures in the collection suddenly fell with a crash to the ground, and the heavy frame collapsed. While examining the inside of the

frame, Dv. Zoebel found a piece d* dark, smudgy paper partly I eta rhed from the inner woodwork. Carefully removing' this 'ie found, a name on it which md been transferred on to the ■voodwork, and this latter he ieeiphcred as ‘‘Holbein.’’ Holding, tho piece of paper up to die light, the same name was ■vcn more (dearly decipherable )o it. Some five years ago .Dr. hiehel acquired this picture in London, and, although he was nvare that it was a valuable work, he little dreamed, that he was the possessor of a genuine Holbein. A comparison with engravings illustrative of “The Work of Holbein the Younger/’ reveals marked similarity to the picture in question, and it would certainly seem that there is little doubt as to the authenticity of the work. 7}he canvas is 50 inches by 39, and the subject “Christ and the CyroPhoenician Woman.” where the woman is imploring the Lord to cast the evil spirits out of her child. Every detail in the picture, which is a truly remarkable one. Speaks of its illustrious origin, the Avhole conception bearing the nnmistakeable imprint nf the master hand. Specially interesting is the exquisite beauty and expressiveness of the hands, a feature of Holbein’s, and in this direction it is interesting to note that a picture by Holbein the younger of the Duke of Norfolk at Windsor, although the head has been disfigured by a “shrivel,” is still exhibited, on account of the wonderfully lifelike hands. There is little doubt that art circles in New Zealand, will be intensely in-* terested in the discovery. The: picture has been placed in safe keeping. In the meantime photographs of it have been taken; and they will he forwardedto Auckland and Wellington immediately. [Hans Holbein was born < in Bavaria about 1497, and died in Loudon in 1543.1