NEW ZEALAND ART

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 108, 8 May 1936, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND ART

MEMORIAL COLLECTION MISS D. K. RICHMOND’S WORK Considerable interest is being taken in the memorial collection of paintings by the New Zealand artist, the late Miss D. K. Richmond. The following is a critic ’s opinion of the artistic ability of this well-known artist:— •‘Miss Richmond was a romantic; her work owes something to her French training. She was born in Auckland in 1861, just after the outbreak of the Taranaki-Waikato War. She was the third child, and the second daughter of the Hon. J. C. Richmond, M.L.C. Her father, who was at, one time Native Minister, was an amateur water-colourist of ability, and from him she inherited her talent. As a child she manifested a precocious gift for drawing, and when she was taken Homo to England by her father in 1874 she studied art and music in London and Dresden. At the age of 17 she gained a Slade Scholarship, and roi two years worked under Legros at the Slade School. She returned to New Zealand in 188 Q i.ut oil not take up professional work until after the death of her father. She was again in England in 1899, studying at the Newlyn School, and later in Paris and in the South of France, where she was closely associated with Miss Frances Hodgkins. After her return to NewZealand in 1903 she devoted herself wholly to her art. and for many years taught, at her studio in Hill Street. From 1904 she was an active member of the Council of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, of which she was elected a life member in 1928. The very night on which she died she had attended a critical meeting of the council, at which she spoke feelingly of the National Gallery, and her hope that it might be made worthy of the Dominion. These were her thoughts as she lay down,, very tired, that night to sleep, and passed away in her 74th year. ’ ’ The last opportunity of hearing Mr. C. Hay-Campbell deal with the several beautiful phases of this exhibition will be to-night, at a special session which has been arranged fc-r between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. Mr. Hay-Campbell will sneak at 8 o’clock.