MR ROBERT PROCTER

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15100, 22 November 1922, Page 8

MR ROBERT PROCTER

A DISTINGUISHED NEW ZEALAND ARTIST.

Hamilton is honoured by a visit from Mr Robert Procter, a prominent New Zealand artist, living in Auckland. Mr Procter has faved in New Zealand since he was a small boy, but., has spent many years travelling, studying and painting on the Continent of Europe, particularly in Italy, where he' has obtained the subject matter for most of his work.

Mr Procter was a distinguished student of The Academie Julien of Paris, and of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts at Antwerp. He has been one of the principal exhibitors for a number of years in all important art exhibitions in New Zealand. ,and his work is represented in all the New Zealand public art galleries;- no less than four having been purchased at different times for the Auckland Art Gallery. His picture of “Sunlit Market, Rome,” was the picture of the year at the annual exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts in May of this year, and was referred to by the New Zealand Herald as follows :

“Without question, the gem of the exhibition is Procter’s “Sunlit Market, Rome,” wliichj must rank as the finest picture this artist has yet sliown. The composition is excellent and execution masterly; his handling of a most colourful and vividly animated subject is hold and convincing, yet a wealth of care is devoted to small details. The most arresting feature of the picture are the play of sunshine over the market-place, the animation of the figures and suggestion of genial companionship, calling irresistibly to mind a line from one of Julian 'Grenfell's. poems, “And life is colour and light and warmth, and a striving evermore for these.” This is a picture Which would he an acquisition to any gallery; it is to he hoped it will not be allowed lo go beyond Auckland." So favourably was this picture regarded in Auckland that the Auckland City Council purchased it for £IOO and placed it in the Auckland Art Gallery as a permanent record of Mr Procter’s work.

Mr Procter has been particularly successful in his portrait studies. He had the honour of being specially commissioned to paint the- portrait of the Duchess of Aosta while he was residing in Italy, which greativ pleased his Royal sitter, who wrote him a most appreciative letter, now one of ~Mr Procter’s most treasured possessions. Among other important portraits painted by Mr Procter was one of Sir Edwin Mitchelson, painted on a commission from the Auckland Racing Club. This work was regarded as so valuable that with the approval of Sir Edwin Mitchelson it was placed in 1 tic Old Colonists’ Room at the Auckland Art Gallery.

Mr Procter lias brought with him to Hamilton a number of typical specimens of his work, and has arranged an exhibition of these at the premises of Messrs Lewis, R. Eady and Son, Ltd., at Victoria Street, wncrc they will be on view to the public for a week or ten days.