EXHIBITION OF OIL PAINTINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17651, 11 December 1920, Page 10

EXHIBITION OF OIL PAINTINGS

NEW ZEALAND SCENERY. n. I Pictures from the brush of H. W. Kirkwood should occupy a place in every home in New Zealand. Mr. Kirkwood is the finest and most prolific landscape and seascape artist the Dominion has ever seen. His work impressively records the grandeur and magnificence of New Zealand scenery, and has caused his canvases to be regarded as treasures of scenic art. Smiling beaches, broad lakes, arid towering peaks are pictured by him in all their natural wonder. Many years of the artist's life were spent in the South Island, and his sketches of 'scenes in the Cold Lakes, district in .particular., aire famed. Mr. Kirkwood is now a resident of Auckland, and he has completed some exceedingly fine paintings of natural beauty spots in/ this province. - Outstanding among them is a striking.study of Mount Ruapehu, presenting a most imposing spectac'e in her dazzling coat of snow. There are also some beautiful little sketches of Auckland, including some yachting scenes on the Waitemata,. "A Calm Day, Rangitoto," " Gold Hole, Northcote," and an entrancing view, entitled 'LFrom Devonport"; also a very beautiful sketch taken from Remuera, showing Rangitoto, Tiri, and the Barrier, with Motutapu in the distance. Mr. Kirkwood is the holder of high honours, being a medallist of the Festival of Empire Exhibition, London, and of Eoubaix, France, both awards being won in 1911. In addition to those already referred to, the pictures to be sold inculde many beautiful glimpses of specially attractive scenes in other $arts of New Zealand than Auckland. There are, for instance, truly appealing illustrations of Dusky Sound, Mitre Peak, Lake Manapouri, the water of Leith, Dunedin, and other fascinating little peeps of acknowledeed places of beauty in Nelson, Napier, Wanganui, and Blenheim. A picture, entitled " Wangan.u Siver," is in particular a most attractive work. One quality distinction in all the paintings is that of colour, which, for purity, intensity, and harmony, cannot be surpassed. The 'sunset effects are wonderfully conceived. " The pictures may. be viewed at Messrs. Smith and Halcombe's rooms to-day, and will be offered by auction at their rooms, Customs Street East, opposite the Waverey,H? el, at 2 p.m. op Wednesday next 15th inst. As has been indicated, they comprise the most representative exhibition of New Zealand work yet shown and art lovers should not fail lo pay a visit of inspection.