PORTRAIT OF KING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16871, 28 October 1925, Page 13

PORTRAIT OF KING.

SOLD TO AMERICA. CONTROVERSY IN ART CIRCLES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Received October 28, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 27. Art circles are surprised at the announcement that Mr. Charles Sims’ portrait- of the King lias been removed from the Royal Academy and sent to America for sale. This is the echo of a wide divergence of opinion expressed when t-hci picture was hung at the Royal Academy last- year. Mr. -Sims replied to criticism then to tho effect that the idea was to make- an accurate representation of the King, which had not been done for many years. He declared that most- portrait’s showed His Majesty -as a young man with a brown hoard, though he was -no longer young. -Mr. Sims said the) picture exhibited the qualities of kingship with the weight and responsibility of such a- position. He contended that if lie had painted the King with a smile it would have removed dignity. Critics say the removal of the picture is the result of a divergence) of opinion i.ni the Academy Council. Some condemn and others defend the portrait, the Intton pointing out that the only objection is that the logs are too thin. The President of the Academy says Mr. Sims was not asked to withdraw the picture. He did so voluntarily, rather than to allow the controversy to continue. 110 points out, in defence of Mr. Sims, that an artist painting Royaltv has no opportunity to demand -as many sittings ns,in other cases.