H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 5

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

W. L. WYLIE'S PICTURE IN WELLINGTON. Where tho latest Dreadnought launched —H.M.S. New Zealand—is to bo stationed has lseen agitating tho naval mind at Home, nnd much has been said of New Zealand's action in permitting tho Admiralty to do precisely an they think fit with her. Wherever she may be placed in the waters of tho world, it is pleasing to know that we will always havo a picture of her in tho National Gallery. Tho painting of W. L. Wylie, R.A., of H.M.S. New Zealand, presented to the Government by the artist in recognition of the Dominion's gift to the Empire, has arrived, and was exhibited with the Baillie collection in "V" Shed, Waterloo Quay, yesterday, where it attracted a good deal of attention. Mr. Wylie is an artist who turns out a great deal of work, mast of it of an excellent character, and in the sphere of marine painting ho holds a good position, many of his paintings being extremely valuable. In H.M.S. New Zealand the Dominion is fortunate in having secured a painting that will grace the walls of the National Gallery. The artist has really turned out a notable picture of a scene at Portsmouth. The newest Dreadnought, though in tho centre of the canvas, and presented bow on, is really only a detail in a picture which is full of atmosphere and the hfo of England's great naval port. The New Zealand might bo any modern warship, as detail of a photographic oharacter has been discarded in getting an altogether pleasing general effect. Though nothing obtrudes, there is significance in the composition of tho picture— u broad sheet of sunlit water, skimmed in the foreground by seagulls in a flurry, and overhead a spacious sky, dimmed by a business-like haze over the lines of snips'in perspective. Alongside the New Zealand is a tug, and another sturdylooking tug has the leviathan in tow. On the one hand is the battleship George V. on the stocks, end beyond the yards are moored the Eoyal Yacht, and the warship Prince of Wales. On the opposite shore are the cruiser Zealandia, the ancient and honourable Victory, and faroft, in the haze H.M.S. Mercury. .. Mr. Wylie's picture will be a decided acquisition to the National Gallery collection, and when better hung than at present will be Eeen even to greater advantage. By the way, it is the intention of the committee of the academy to arrange a special show of Notional Gallery pictures in "0" Shed ns soon as Mr. Baillie moves on. . His cullectiort will be- on view for another week, after which all the pictures purchased for or donated to the National Gallery, ami those at present on the walls of our own academy will bo exhibited in the premises which Mr. Baillie has so admirably adapted for picture gallery purposes. The Wylie picture will then be hung at the end of one of the long rooms, in order that the best view possible of the big .canvas (which measures lift, by 7ft.) may be obwined.. '