DUNEDIN ART GALLERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 35

DUNEDIN ART GALLERY.

SOME VALUABLE GIFTS. Recent valuable additions to the Dunedin Art Gallery have attracted large numbers of visitors to Logan Park during the last few days. Although tho gallery was open for only two and a-half hours on Sunday afternoon week there were r.o fewer than 250 visitors, and since , there have been large attendances daily. p ‘*? ce °. f scul P tur e presented by "'Jr D. E. Theomin h-as been given a place of honour in the centre of B gallerv. Tho subject is “Tho Wrestlers,” from a Grecian bronze, the original of which is in the Uffizi Gallery at Florence. Mr Theornin was struck by its beautv during a visit to tho gallery, and he engaged Raoul Bigazzi, a sculptor in Florence to make a full-sized replica for the Dunedin Gallery. It is a particularly fine piece of work, the material being the purest Carrara marble, and as aq. addition to the gallery it takes a very important place.'' Another, valuable addition is a tar"© canvas. “’Twixt Night and Day,” bv W. Llewellyn ,the gift, of Sir Lindo Ferguson It is a quiet, restful scene at St. Ives, Cornwall. ’I he setting sun casts a warm glow on the upper portion of tho picture, and, in the lower part in dim light a herring boat is making its way seaward. The picture has been the subject of a great deal of admiration since it has been placed in position. A water colour “ The Banner Dance’’ by W. Russell Flint. A.R.A., R. W.S., ’ is another most welcome gift. The picturewas presented -to the gallery in accordance with the will of the late Mr J. O’. Marshall. It came to Dunedin with the British collection for the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, and when on .view there it was greatly admired bv authorities on ait. It is a verv arrest - * ing figure study in the nude, characterised by power of movement. This is the first example of the work of this very distinguished artist to come into the possession of the Dunedin Art Gallery, although another delightful example entitled “ Belinda’s Beach,” lent by Mr Theomin, has been on view for some time. Mr Marshal! al.-o left to the gallery a water colour hy the late C. N. Wortley, the subject being a scene on the shores of Lake Lugarno, in Italy. Its chief characteristic is a wealth of perfectly-blended Messrs Raphael Tuck and Sons have presented a still life study entitled “ A Pageant of Beauty, ’ a fine piece of work by Auber Gris. In addition to the g-fts purchases made in England on behalf of the gallery by Sir Lindo Ferguson and Mr Theomin havo added interest to the collection. These include three studies in black and white by Harold Coping, the subject m each case being taken from a Shakespearean play. They are “Titania and Bottom, - ’ from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream;’’ “ Shylock, Antonio and Bassanio,” from “The Merchant of Venice;’ and “King Lear and the Jester.’’ from “ King Lear.” Another purchase is a flower study in pastel entitled “ Summer’s Flowers, ’’ bv Thomas T. Blaylock; and a water coloir by John H. Bacon," A.R.A.. depicting the marriage of King Arthur, has attracted some interest. The list is completed by three water colours by Jennie Harbour, treated in a decorative manner, the titles being “ A Victorian Poet,” “ When Autumn Winds Do Blow,” and “Rivals.” As a result of the generosity of the donors of the recent additions the value of the collection lias been considerably enhanced. The construction of the gallery is such that the pictures can bo displayed to the best advantage, and interst in the exhibits bus undergone ft marked increase.