MEDIUMISTIC PAINTING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 35, 5 November 1907, Page 9

MEDIUMISTIC PAINTING.

Sir J— I in your issue of October 24 to' the excitement that is being caused in artistic circles in Berlin by Mrs. AsSm'ann, .executing while' ' entranced . some most.'}ivbnderful painting and drawiiig, although, when in her normal condition she is totally' incapable' and has no-knowledge .of eith6h' : This to many, may appear very wonderful, and especially so when it happens to bo'far away at Berlin. ' It may be of* interest' to your readers to know that, we have'in our. midst, , or at least a few weeks ago had, a gentleman who possesses similar, if not .superior, gifts to those of the lady referred: to. I refer.to Mr. Watt,,-of Dunedin, .who, it may ;be remembered, created' quite "a sensation somo' two' years' ago when a number of the''drawings of his spirit friejids (as'he isj pleased to call the _ power or gift) appeared in the "Otagd Witness," and received very considerable, .attention.,from the public platform I ,' Press ' and. pulpit. Quite recently, while visiting Wellington,, he brought with him.quite; a/collection,of some .50 or 60, which he also had on. exhibitionism the Recliabite Hall,. Manners Street, «where! they were ;visited, by quite "a number' of artists; scientists,'."etc'., and "admitted'_ by all' to be some of the most ;marvqljpus i pjeces pf colour conception bf the'preserit dayj'some of them ; being in. such minute detail that , they could only bo seen through,,. a? powerful : glass. There was' one'that called for-special mention, done Upon opal, said'to'represent one of the undiscovered temples in the Pyramids of Pheops. There .are hundreds', of hieroglyphics, signs 'and 'symbols. The whole designals ;a marvel of beauty, while the colouring is: of*the' most .perfect harmony, conceivable, and the blending' seems far beyond present-day: artistio skill. Mr'.' Watt of himself .is totally incapable of drawing a painting fre6 hand in any shape or form, or even copying'an . inch of any of the coloured crayon drawings of his large collection. Mr. Watt has given demonstrations before special' reporters,, leading journalists,; and scientists •of ; Australia; doctors, professors, judges, - etc.\ ' and these wonderful , colour creations- ;have received considerable attention from-soveral scientific societies in Britain, .America',- and France. I enclose a photo' of one I received from Mr. : Watt, which will convey some idea of detail.—l am, etc., ' , ... INTERESTED. '