OLD PAINTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1928, Page 8

OLD PAINTINGS.

REGARDED AS AUTHENTIC. The complete set of the “Illustrations to the Book of Job.” which had remained hidden, from public gaze in a home at Ellerslie for over half a century, have been, declared by art experts in London to be substantially the work of the poet and mystic, Wm. Blake. According to private cable advice received yesterday, Dr. Laurence Binyon, a well-known author and deputy-keeper in charge of the sub-department of Oriental prints and drawings, who is the authority at the British Museum on Blake and his works, has made the statement that “the drawings are substantially Blake’s own work, except the drawing of the title page. This was copied from an engraving.” Another expert. Dr. Jeffrey Keynes, who is described in England as knowing more about Blake than anyone else, has expressed himself as being in agreement with Dr. Binyon. Public attention was directed to the paintings seven months ago when they were seen in the home of Miss Martin, who now lives in Arthur Street, Ponsonby. It is stated the works were brought to New Zealand in 1851 by Mr. Albin Martin, an English artist.