SOME VALUABLE PICTURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2631, 17 September 1902, Page 33

SOME VALUABLE PICTURES.

The Adelaide National Gallery recently received a valuable bequest of some 150 sketches by the late Mr G. F. Angas, which may well excite the envy of similar institutions in thi-3 colony. The late Mr Angas devoted the best years of his life to the task of accurately depicting for the benefit of future generations the original characteristics of the country and its inhabitants before they had been influenced by contact with his more utilitarian contemporaries. Practically the whole of his large collection of sketches was published in three sumptuous volumes nearly 60 years ago, but only a limited number of copies of each were printed, and they have all long since passed icto the possession of public institutions and private collectors. The original watercolour sketches were carefully preserved by Mr Angas, but he distributed most of them Among his relatives aud friends, and at present there are at least four representative collections of these works. The largest and most valuable was in the possession of Mr James Angus Johnson, who died two or three months ago. Hp bequeathed his collect:on of about 150 sketches illustrative of the scenery and native inhabitants of New Zealand, South Australia, and South Africa to the Adelaide National Gallery, subject to a life interest by his widow. Mrs Johnson has decided to forgo any claim, and the pictures will coon be on view. The Adelaide Observer says: — The New Zealand section of Mr Johnson's collection is more extensive than either the Australian or South African series. In the preface to -his published work on that colony. Mr Angas stated that in order to accomplish his task ho \isited the North and South Islands, and spent a considerable period in travelling round their coasts. He also penetrated into the interior, and sought out nearly every tribe of Natives. " After living among them in the remotest and almost unknown parts of the country," he goes on to state, " I have succeeded in obtaining portraits of the most important chiefs, with t-heir families, and have made drawings on the spot of all objects of internet connected with their history." The collfftion of Maori portraits which forms part of Mr Johnson's bequest is probably the finest in existence. It includes many of the great warriois who afterwards cauwd so much bloodshed by their revolt against British rule ; and as each portrait is finished with the' greatest, care and skill the series i« a unique pictorial record of the typp of m^n who ruled in the island colony 60 years a»o. In many eases fimily groups wore painter! to illustrate the habits and customs of the people Some of the portraits of youths and young girls are exceedingly beautiful, and are in remarkab'e contract t/> the sparred and tattooed features nf the old warrior". The pictuieMjne. brishtness nf the N?tive cn> turn".« eiiiVrtlv appoa'fd to Mr AntrnVh artist'c perceptions, and hf mu^t hav-p. do votcvl rnnv hour-, to thf tn-k of fait'ifulV l rprr -r Mtiiijr flip rV'ratr 1 T r \tur**« of tl*o par.nrnt- 1 voin !>v hi* dusky Mi'i|f(t= Fr^m «omr points of \ lew t!.p X(-« Z^altnd -fri« nr^ tho rr>o-t va''i .ble 'ii tlio fdllrction. Not only f'o il.ry r-ntiin M.- 1 l-n portraits of scop"; of 'M/fn- of a.M f?in 'f= and acrs but they depict the niauneio and customs of

the people more graphically than any written record could possibly do. The Native temples, with their grotesque ima{res, elaborate carving, aud beautiful interiors, are drawn with the greatest exactness and skill, while the typical industries and recreations of the Natives before the advent of white settlers are shown in a striking manner. The mass of detail which many of the pictures contain is simply indescribable, and it must have taken many month* of inceseant labour to complete the ssries.

It is almost to be regretted that such a valuable collection as is referred to above should be, so to speak, buried in the Adelaide Gallery. It is not likely that the trustees will ever consent to part with these pictures, which will soon be almost beyond prior; but it is possible that a system of lending pictures might be established, and when Dunedin has provided a new' public art gallery — if ever it does — this is a matter which the trustees might keep in. view.