ART TREASURES EXHIBITION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 295, 24 December 1879, Page 2

ART TREASURES EXHIBITION.

Those who are accustomed to see the Provincial Hall on ordinary occasions will scarcely recognise it in its new garb, the walls being graced with a collection of pictures that do infinite credit to the taste of the residents in the town and surrounding districts, who have most readily responded to the invitation of the Committee to send such works of art in their possession as they might deem worthy of being exhibited. That so large a number of exquisite oil and water color paintings, photographs, and engravings should be found in so 3mal! a town seems almost incredible, and we feel sure that the visitors to the Hail during the next few days will be greatly surprised at both the extent and the quality of the exhibition. As the arrangements were not completed when we paid our visit to day, we cannot pretend to give even a general idea of the appearance of the Hall under its new aspect, cor are we in a position to call attention to all the works of art of one kind and another which are specially worthy of notice, but as the Exhibition is to be open for a week, at least, we shall have other opportunities of making mention of some of its leading features. There are, however, near the Jury room door two large and most lovely oil paintings that will be among the first to attract attention. These are exhibited by Captain Garcia, and are from the bru3h of Sir David Leslie They represent " Sunrise " and " Sunset," the beautiful effects of the different lights upon the landscape being depicted with a warmth of coloring and a delicious softness that are most attractive and fascinating. If we mistake not there will be a crowd constantly around these two noble pictures. At the eastern end of the Hall is one of Mr Gully's water colors, exhibited by Mr A. Moore. It represents Lake Wakatipu, and is one of that well-known artist's best efforts. A large oil painting over the western fireplace will attract a good deal of attention. It is painted and exhibited by Miss Browning, and is entitled " Memories of the first Palm Sunday." The young moon in the clear sky shows that about a fortnight has cla; sed since the day on which our Saviour made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and in the foreground are four female figures who are evidently full of sad recollections of

all that has taken place in thateventf ul period and are now engaged in picking up from the ground juat outside the city as sacred mementos the withered palms that had been so joyously Btrewn there by the crowd who then 1 sang " Hosanna," and a few days later cried "Crucify him." The young lady who painted this very attractive picture bids fair to take a high rank among Australasian artists. Besides the walls, there are two screens which are covered with pictures on both sides. There are also stands both in. the Hall and the Jury room. laden with statuary, medallions, vases, and curiosities of various descriptions, and occupying a prominent position among these is a magnificent silver trophy exhibited by Mrs Colt, which was presented to her father Sir Walter Gilbert by the officers uuder his command at the close of the Sikh war in 184.9. We shall refer to this really beautiful Exhibition at greater length ou a future occasion, and in the meantime can assure our readers that all who care for such thiugs can spend many pleasant hours in the Provincial Hall in its present state.