PICTORIAL ART

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23179, 27 October 1938, Page 16

PICTORIAL ART

STRIKING EXHIBITION ROYAL SOCIETY SELECTION DISPLAY FOR THREE WEEKS Photographic artistry of a standard rarely seen in the Dominion is revealed in the selection of 230 prints from the Royal Photographic Society (London) 1937 Exhibition, which are on display at the Auckland Art Gallery. The pictures comprise the pictorial section of the 1937 exhibition which is known as the Coronation Exhibition, and those exhibited survived a severe selective process.

The exhibition will open in Auckland to-day and will be continued for three weeks. Camera clubs and photographic associations throughout the Dominion have combined to secure these rare pietrues for showing in New Zealand, and it is hoped that thousands of amateur photographers and artists throughout the country will accept the opportunity of seeing the display. Admission, is free.

Wide Range Covered

The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain wa3 founded in 1853 and is international in scope. It receives entries from all parts of the world. So high is the reputation of the society that famous photographers from all parts of the world exhibit at its exhibitions, and in tho selection which will be shown in Auckland a variety is presented which contains novelty and originality peculiar only to some of the continental countries. Even China, Japan and India are represented in the selection. It is not unusual for outstanding exhibits from the Royal Photographic Society's exhibitions to he shown after the annual display, but it is the more common practice to show them in tho United States first, then to take them back to various centres in England. In view of the outstanding quality of the work manifested in the Coronation Exhibition the Dominion camera organisations made strong representations for early consideration and they were rewarded with the fine pictorial section of the exhibition. Unusual Variety The pictures are arranged in various groups. There is a fine assortment of portraits and figure studies and one of tho most impressive in this group is the picturisation of an idea by F. Aszmann. This exhibit is a fine example of dual work and is titled "Cain and Abel." Seascapes figure prominently in the selection, while there are some splendid landscapes and architectural and still life _ contributions. A popular sections will be the animal studies. Many of the photographers exhibiting have struck a note that will be new to many in New Zealand and the technical perfection, combined with dexterous arrangement of subject, has_ in many cases resulted in outstanding artistic achievement. Every process seems to be represented, including a new one in a fine shadow subject, "The Sentinels.'.' Two poplar trees guarding a gateway at night are surrounded by a deep velvet black finish that makes the picture most striking.