SALE OF PICTURES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15098, 22 March 1911, Page 8

SALE OF PICTURES.

Tho pictures which Mr J. D. Porrott, the well-known New Zealand artist, is disposing of by auction at tho rooms of Messrs Riedla and Scurr on Friday make a fine showing as displayed on the walls in the auction rooms ill Princes street. Closo on 50 pictures in oil, water colour,, and pastel are being exhibited, tho subjects—<mostly characteristic views of New Zealand scenery—lakes, soumfe, and rivers. Pride of place is occupied by. a large canvas in oils, " Mopnt Cook, from LaJco Puknki, Evening," this picture being a fine sunset view of tho towering peak, the height and grandeur of the scone being most ably reproduced. In the canvas depicting liho " Evening of a Grey Day, Lake To Anau," a very pleasing offect is obtained, the purple shades being beautifully brought out. The north fiord of tho lake has-been taken as the subject'. .Mr Perrctt serefi a picture something similar'to this scene to tho Old Country some, time back, and' rcceived very flattering notices of it. It was said that tiho reproduction of the purple- colouring and' the mountains reflected in thoshinimering water of <tiho lake showed that Mr Perrett was an artist of colour perception of the highest merit And this picture and tho others amply verify this dictum. "The Head , of Lake Maiia>ponri" is a rnosb pleasing study in greys, showing Mount Slioba and Leaning Rock in tho background, while " When Shadows of tho Evening Steal Across, the Sky " —a simplo effect of eca and sky, with a scow in tho foreground—is most artistically treated, tho sky being brought out most naturally. "A Brook in the Leith" is an excellent study of an autumn scono, the colouring of Olio hanging trees forming a kind of mosaio of purples and yellows. Pastels showing a moonlight effect on Rangitoto Channel, and an autumnal sunset ro■.ycal the artist's versatility, tho former picture' being pninted with a quiet effect, whalo tho latter is a strong piece of bold colouring. There are plenty of other splendid pictures on view, and the collection is one which must appeal to the art lover by the comprehensive nature of tho studies painted by Mr Perrett and tho artistio manner in which they are reproduced. A painting by tho late Mr Horutius M'Cullook, R.S.A., " Moorland Oottago," is among fiheso to bo sold, being' a fine example of tho artist'e work. This pioturo was bouglit out of the collection sold by Mr Alex. Wilson, of tho Otego High Scliool. There are also paintings in tho collection by Neili, J. M. Madden, etc.