AUCKLAND ART GALLERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9012, 18 October 1892, Page 5

AUCKLAND ART GALLERY.

♦ THE NEW ANNEXE. The completion of the Mackelvle Art Gallery will be hailed with satisfaction by the art-loving portion of the inhabitants of this town. The very sensible arrangement made between the trustees and the City Council has much enlarged the usefulness of the noble bequest of the late Mr. Maokelvie. There was an unexpended balance of a loan contracted for the purpose of erecting, amongst other public buildings, an art gallery, and this sum has been now most worthily utilised in erecting the beautiful gallery, which we now describe. The details of the arrangement mide by the late Mayor (Mr. Upton) with the trustees has been lately before the Supreme Court, and received the sanction of that august authority. The new gallery (106 feet long by 36 feet wide) is on the same floor level as the pre sent one. The fagade, which is boldly treated, harmonises well with the present building, and the block now presents an. attractive appearance to the Albert Park. The gallery is constructed on the accepted principles and conditions as laid down by a Royal Commission which was appointed to report on the question of Art Galleries in view of the erection of a building to house the " Sheepshank Bequest to the nation," which report exhaustively and definitely settled the question. The Mackelvie annexe, therefore, contains in its interior construction all tho accepted conditions which modern science has been able to lay down as to the relative dimensions and proportions of a gallery, and the method upon which light must be admitted, that being the most essential of all points. It will be at once recognised the moment that the visitor passes from the old gallery into the new annexe by the startling difference in respect of the lighting of the two buildings ; indeed, it is quite a revelation to the uninitiated, and the City Fathers have to be congratulated upon their selection from amongst the competitive designs of Mr. Arnold's plan, whose knowledge has given to us a really perfect art gallery. Access is gained to the new structure from the present gallery, through a massive doorway 15 feet wide flanked by Grecian Doric pilasters, which are surmounted by a bold entablature of the same order, this order is executed in Keene's cement worked up to a high state of finish. A bold plaster cove supported by handsome trusses and ribs carries the skylight, which gives an air of lightness and breadth to the upper portion of the room. The floor is laid with Maw's tiles, and is, we believe, the largest tiled floor in the colony. It will be noted that the colour of the flooring tiles is in perfect harmony with the walls, and all reflected glare on the eye is thus obviated. It is to be regretted that the amount within which the erection of the gallery had to be limited, precluded the laying of a handsome border round the floor, and some relieving designs down the centre, which would have greatly added to the effect and beauty of the gallery. Special precautions have been taken to obtain good ventilation, and also to prevent damp striking through to the pictures. The work has been executed by the wellknown builder and contractor, Mr. G. M. Hancock, in a most substantial manner, and does him great credit. We understand that the trustees have commissioned Mr. Arnold to design appropriate fly screens, which are required to display the large collection of water colours, sketches, photographs, etc., which would be out of character to have framed and hung, even hnd there been available wall space. Cases have also to be designed in which to display the large collection of objects of vertu which forms a most valuable and interesting portion of the Mackelvie bequest. It is not intended to commence hanging the pictures for some time, so as to allow the building to be first thoroughly dry, which tho approaching summer season will accomplish.