ORPEN’S WAR PORTRAITS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19905, 27 September 1926, Page 5

ORPEN’S WAR PORTRAITS.

HIGH PRICES EEALISED. ATE MR MASSEY’S PICTURE MILD SENSATION OVER “SIR J. G. WARD.” (From Och Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 24. Portraits of both the late Mr Massey jnd of Sir Joseph Ward changed hands at Jhrislie’s a few days ago. The occasion .vas the sale of Sir William Orpen's 36 pictures of war-time celebrities. It may be recalled that the 36 portraits vvhich were done at the time of the Peace 'Deference, were bought en bloc from the iiTist by Sir James Dunn, Bt., some years igo at a generous sum. For a time he was ;redited with the intention of endowing -ome public gallery in the dominions with iie series. But a friend, who knows him

•veil, has stated that he began to fear that uich a gift might not be fully appreciated, md that he therefore preferred to send diem to Christie’s. As the total realised there was 12,855 guineas, those who are in : ir James Dunn’s confidence know that this unount is not far short of the purchase price. The pictures, wonderfully crisp and vital, vere painted in Paris, and are mostly sketches for Sir William’s great picture. “The Signing of the Peace in the Hall of Mirrors,, Versailles.” which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1920. The cir--umstances in which most of these “thumb■i ai 1” impressions were painted are told

by Sir William in his book. “An Onlooker in France.” published in 1921. After Mr Percy Johnson (of Messrs Leggatt) has given 200gns for the first of the series, the sketch of the Earl of Balfour, made by Sr William Orpen in three-quarters of an hour, it was soon discernible that this competitor was to play a prominent part. As in the end he acquired 22 out of the 36 at nn outlay of 5130gns. it will he recognised that he had a formidable backing behind him. It is understood the principal for whom Mr Johnson was acting is a London

citizen who has filled the office of Lord Mayor and who has been identified with art benefactions to the Guildhall Gallery and even to American institutions. He instructed Mr Johnson to bid for every one of the 36 —save two. One of the exceptions was the portrait of Earl Beatty, which, he understood, was greatly desired by the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland. and, acting for that institution, Mr Johnson won the admiral’s portrait at 310gns. £2730 FOR “PRESIDENT WILSON.” Though the total, £13,497 15s, obtained for the 36 portraits was a little short of Sir James Dunn’s original outlay, the prices paid for most of them were quite good. The highest figure (£2730) was given for the excellent portrait of President Woodrow Wilson, who. Sir Williams said, “ sat well, but even then he was very nervous and twitchy. He told endless stories, most harmless, and some witty.” This picture will probably now adorn the home of some American millionaire, or, perhaps, a national gallery. The second highest price (£567) was for the portrait of General Smuts, “ a strong personality, with great love for his own country, and a fearless blue eye.” Mr Frank Rinder, on behalf of the Felton bequest, gave £504 for the picture of that “giant among men,” Louis Botha. This is to hang in the National Gallery

of Victoria at Melbourne. THE NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTERS. The portrait of was sold at 310 guineas. A mild sensation was caused by the auction of the picture of Sir Joseph Ward. It was knocked down for 110 guineas, and then put up to auction again, after a dispute, finally realising 180 guineas. Other notable portraits included one of “ that quiet, thoughtful, friendly person,” Sir Robert Laird Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, which went to Messrs Gooden and Fox for £504. The same purchasers also gave £472 10s for the impression of Pi, idont Wilson’s confidential adviser, Colonel E. M. House, £420 for the Right Hon. W. M. Hughes, and £399 for Colonel T. E. Lawrence. These pictures are to remain in this country. The portraits of Clemenceau and Lloyd George, which wont to Messrs Agnew for £420 and £504 respectively, are destined for an American art collection, as is that of General Pershing, which cost Messrs Knoedler £525. MR WOLF HARRIS’S COLLECTION. In addition to the Orpcn pictures a number of the late Mr Wolf Harris’s collection wore sold. These included T. S. Coopei, “ Nine Cows in Canterbury Meadows,” 1877 —170 guineas (Mitchell); J. S. Lucas “The Interval,” 1905 —120 guineas (Sampson); John Pettie “The Sisters”—l2s guineas (Mitchell) : and Sir E. J. Poynter. “ The Cave of the Storm Nymphs,” 1902 300 guineas (Stow). Mr J. B. Shaw was an interested spectator of the Orpen paintings. NEW FORESTRY. ro THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent “North-ender” iifc Friday’s issue, bits the mark. State forests in Greenvale are similarly neglected. Planted at the end of last century and named Dusky Forest, the trees have never been thinned or pruned. The first forester planned for thinning at 16 years, but 26 years have now gone by. In many places the trees are falling dead. Close planting (3ft) needs early attention. Some forests wore thinned at Hanmer because the firewood was saleable ; not so at Dusky. Thinnings could be burned for charcoal in backblocks. —I am, etc., Forester.