SALE OF PICTURES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6823, 20 May 1909, Page 5

SALE OF PICTURES

MR T. E. DONNE’S COLLECTION One of the best private collections of pictures in Wellington came under the hammer tills week, the appointment of Mr T. E. Donno to represent New Zealand as Trade and Immigration Commissioner in London necessitating . the disposal of the bulk of his belongings. Though about twenty choice and representative works are being taken to England by Mr Donne, he a! lowed a verylarge number to go under the hammer, and as the collection was worth between £BSO and £IOOO, it attracted large attendances of art lovers to flic sale yesterday and 'on Tuesday. Among the works were many from local brushes, and the collection contained choice specimens selected from such, a wide range as Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Paris, Rome, .Venice, Florence, New York, Chicago and Melbourne. To Wbllingtoniaus tho most interesting werb those of the late John Gully. Mr .Donno felt justified in placing substantial reserves on these lobs, probably having regard to tho fact that the lapse of time will make them more and _,moro valuable. Buyers’ ideas did not coincide with the .seller’s, with tho result that nearly all these line works were passed in. Among them was a large wster-col-our, "Ofi tho South-Western Coast Of Now Zealand," a magnificent rendering of light pla'yihg on the waters, and 1 sun on the snowy mountain tbps. It was withdrawn at twenty-live guineas. Another splendid specimen which failed tc roach tho reserve depicted a scene in the Otira Gorge, which by' reason of ite perspective,, atmosphere and daintiness of colour, may bo classed as among the very best efforts of the talented artist, It was purchased by Mr Donne; after being hung at the Melbourne Exhibition in 1883. “The Rata Tree," a choice study by Gully, reached £lO before it was passed in, and £ls was bier for a seascape, but tliia also failed to reach the reserve.

Three water-colours, by the elder Barraud, of Wellington, were -eagerly sought alter, and one showing Lake Wakatipu In its brightest and most charming aspect realised nine and a half . guineas. “Pursued/' an oil painting by the wellknown English artist, air Hounsoin liylcs, R.8.A., at present in Christ ß church, was isecured by a bidder at £6 15s Gd, and "Autumn," a lovely Nature study by the same artist, brought eight guineas. The purchaser of the portrait in oils of a girl, by Ncrli, at four and a half guineas, _ openly exhibited his jubilation, and 'there was fairly spirited bidding subsequently for the same artist's "Courting/* a study in oils, which could have been sold foi XS 10s, but this was below the reserve. Mr A, A. Gellatiy, of Messrs «T. H. Be thunc and Co., was the auctioneer.