THE BAILLIE PICTURES

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 7

THE BAILLIE PICTURES

"A MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION." SYDNEY GALLERY DIRECTOR MUCH IMPRESSED. Mi 1 . G. V. F, Mann, Director of tho National Gallery of New South Wales, arrived on Wednesday from Sydney on a special mission to inspect and recommend for purchase pictures in tho Baillio collection. When seen after he had spent the greater part of tho day at the gallery Air. .Mflnn was asked if the pictures were worth the journey. "I am more than pleased with Mr. Baillie's pictures," ho said, "indeed I will go as far as to say that it is the finest collection of paintings by modern British artists that has ever been brought to Australasia. My only regret is that I did not arrive sooner. I would have been here a week ago if there was any other boat but tho Warrimoo sailing, but I postponed my visit—now lam sorry I did.

"I have not had enough time thoroughly to examine every picture as yet. but from what I have seen, I should say that there is not a poor picture in tho collection. There is merit in everything and what is nioro nearly every modern British painter is represented, and this adds freshness' and charm to the; collection. I notice that Mr. Baillie has singled out a good many of the rising young artists, who have already painted well enough for their names to be known on this side of the world. That is a capital idea, as it gives galleries and people a chance to acquire at a low figure good pictures which are likely to bo valuable in tho future.

"You Wellington people have been very lucky—you have picked the eyes out of the collection, and your selectors are to be congratulated. You havo secured u real treasure in Mouat Loudon's 'Blue and Gold.' Tho tones of blue in tho' girl's dross form a perfect harmony, and the painting is very fine. It is a picture I would have liked to have secured. 'Another gem is Miss Gloag's 'Bacchante and Fauns.' I consider it one of (he best things in the whole collection. The figure is cleverly drawn and the flesh is wonderfully well painted. I also like E. A. Walton's 'Sunshine and Shade' which your committee has bought. But still there are others. I havo already reserved a number and am going to have another go to-morrow.

"This is a great chance for your people over hero. It is not every day that you have such a magnificent collection brought to your'doors. It is fine for the galleries, and should be recognised as a great chance for the citizen. Instead of sitting day after day before half-crown oleographs ho has a chance to get originals of very good paintings at prices that will not readily offer again in • a hurry. There is a great joy in the possession of the original of a picture one really likes, and it is an increasing joy as time goes on. I hear that some of the galleries are buying, but what a chance for the man who wishes to adorn his home artisticfelly!"

Mr. Mann said that what his gallery !nas most in need of at present was water colours by modern artists, and it was to those he would pay particular attention. Auckland had robbed him of 6ome he would havo liked to recommend, but still there were others—lots of others—and they were all good." NATIONAL"GALLERY FUND. CITY COUNCIL CONTRIBUTES .£750. A substantial addition camo to the National Gallery Fund last night when the City Council decided to make a payment of ,£750, on account of the sum of .£IOOO which it had previously decided to give provided that XIOOO was raised by public subscription. This payment will enable purchases to be made without delay before more of the gems in the collection axe secured by discerning outsiders. Theorgnnisers of the fund have been reluctantly compelled to abandon tho idea of a Saturday street appeal, owiug to the difficulty of finding, in the timo'at their disposal, a sufficient number willing to assist as collectors. It was hoped that the assistance of one or two fairly strong ladies' societies would have been secured, but as these have withdrawn, it was found impossible to organise individual workers In the time available. Howover, the great body of the public who have not yet done ranch to assist a movement which will confer so lasting a benefit on the city are again reminded that they can very appreciably help the picture fund, and at tho same time receive good value for their money by attending the exhibition of British pictures in large numbers. A new and very attractive feature Ims now been added to the collection in the shape of a gallery devoted wholly to a series of very fine etchings by Frank Brangwyn, A.R.A., and. coloured etchings by Charles H. Mackie, A.E.S.A., Nelson Dawson, S.T.P., and Lee Hankey, A.R.E., S.T.I'. The exhibition will again be opened to tho public on Sunday afternoon. A collection will be taken at the door, and half the'amount so contributed will go to, swell tbo picture fund. A country settler, who has made a handsome donation to the fund, in a letter forwarding his 'cheque, writes: "I am somewhat disappointed that more wealthy residents of Wellington have not responaed, and given individual pictures. However, there is still time. . . . Wellington should have a gallery for the education of the people, and an inspiration to the local artists, and I hope now that yon have made such, an excellent start that you will bo well supported." Tho fund subscribed by the public is steadily mounting towards the fourth thousand, and citizens are urged loyally to co-operate, so that tho response of Wellington may not fall snort of tho £5000 needed to secure the full .£IOOO offered by the City Council. A keen interest is being taken in this movement, not only in the rest of the Dominion, but across the Tasman Sea, and it is hoped that Wellington will take good care to see on this occasion that her critics are not in a position to say, "I told you so."