Famous Etchers

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 55, 27 May 1927, Page 10

Famous Etchers

MANY FAMOUS ETCHERS j WILL BE REPRESENTED AT FORTHCOMING SHOW | IN AUCKLAND. STILL |

MORE TREASURES ARE j COMING TO HAND. ! i

ART OF JOSEPH PENNELL

JOSEPH PENNELL, the famous American etcher, who died last year, will be represented at the etcher’s exhibition which the city librarian (Mr. John Barr) is organising - in Auckland. Great industrial understakings, such as the Panama Canal and British munition works during the Great War, furnished many subjects for Pennell’s vigorous art. It is interesting to note that one of the etchings for the Auckland exhibition, “Marche-les-Dames,” was inspired in France during the war years. To discover soul in concrete and mortar appeared to be Joseph Pennell’s mission. The huge industrial undertakings of his own country always incited his imagination. It is interesting to note that a small section of Australian etchers are imbued with this spirit. The huge Sydney bridge, now in course of construction across the harbour, and the gigantic silos in the neighbourhood of the city, are attracting not a few artists. New Zealand might well do something in this direction. The great hydro-electric and other undertakings which have been constructed in different parts of the Dominion in recent years all have their artistic value. What could be more imposing than, for instance, those gargantuan works centred in the mountain ranges near the source of the Mangahao? CITY OWNS MERYONS It is good to know that Charles Meryon, the subject of my article last week, will not be forgotten. The city library has four examples of the Frenchman’s early art, which were purchased, Mr. Barr tells me, last year. All belong to what is known as the Akaroa set. Picturesque indeed is a glimpse of the historic settlement beneath the fronds of a graceful treefern. Poor Meryon loved the New Zealand trees. Yet I looked in vain among these etchings for the cabbage tree, which he said he loved best of all. Though immature examples of the great etcher’s art, they possess undoubted artistic interest, as well as an historic appeal. Movement is suggested, for instance, in one work, the subject being a few Maori hutments, by a number of pigs running in the foreground. This example is also in the Turnbull Museum at Wellington. Another is possessed by Dr. Guy Scohlefield, the Parliamentary Librarian. REPRESENTATIVE SELECTION Rembrandt, master etcher, will be represented, too. “Old Battersea Bridge” is the title of one of the Whistlers. The other is a French subject. There will be a splendid group of etchings on view by Marius Bauer. Frank Brangwyn’s work will be of particular interest as the promoters of this exhibition have been fortunate enough to obtain examples of his early etchings as well as his matured art. Also to be represented will be: Lee Hankey, Mortimer Mempes, Charles Jacque (several excellent examples), Percival Gaskell, Hester Frood, John Crome, Alphonse Legross, Martin Hardy, G. S. Maelachlan, Sir Frank Short, W. P. Robins, Malcolm Osborne, George and Eileen Soper, Carot, Luke Taylor, Sir F. Seymour Hayden, Alfred Hartley, William Walcot, J. R. Duff, Edmund Blampiea, and many others. Good examples of the art of D. Y. Cameron, Muirhead Bone, James McBey and Anders Zorn would be welcomed. —ERIC RAMSDEN.

BOOKS IN DEMAND AT THE AUCKLAND LIBRARY

NON-FICTION “BEYOND THE FRONTIER,” by A. McC. Scott. “WIRELESS WITHOUT WORRY” by R. F. Tiltman. “BEETHOVEN,” by P. J. Bekker. “FROM PRESIDENT TO PRISON,” by F. Ossendowski. “FRENCH REVOLUTION” by N. H. Webster. “PREJUDICES,” fifth series, by H. L. Mencken. “WITH SEAPLANE AND SLEDGE IN THE ARCTIC” by G. Binney. “A WALK-ABOUT IN AUSTRALIA,” by Philippa Bridges. “THE PERIL OF THE WHITE,” by L. C. Money. “WORLD CRISIS, 1916-1918,” by W. Churchill. FICTION “REGION CLOUD,” by P. Lubbock. “JEW SUSS,” by L. Feuchtw anger. “BEST STORIES OF 1926 (.2) AMERICAN,” selected by E. O’Brien. “SPLENDOUR OF ASIA,” by L. A. Beck. “ECHO ANSWERS,” by E. Thane. “BROTHER SAUL,” by D. Byrne. “COUNTRY OF THE POINTED FIRS,” by S. O. Jewett. “FROM NINE TO NINE,” by L. Perutz. “OH! THE BRAVE MUSIC,” by R. Blaker. “PASSIONATE FLIGHT by M. Ostenso.

SUPPLIERS’ MEETING

A largely attended meeting of suppliers to the New Zealand Co-op. Dairy Co. was held in the Huntly School of Mines on Wednesday. Suppliers were present from all parts of the district to hear the directors and management representatives, Messrs. Parlane and Bruce, speak on the all-absorbing topic of the day, viz., dairy produce control and matters pertaining to the company's business. Dr. R. C. MacDiarmid was voted to the chair. Mr. Parlane stressed the co-opera-tive system at length, particularly in reference to the purchase of agricultural implements, etc. Mr. Bruce spoke on the debenture question, and explained fully why de-

bentures were issued. He also touched on the coal company’s progress at Glen Afton. In reply to a question as to whether Home co-operative societies had offered to buy all the New Zealand butter at a fixed price, Mr. Bruce replied that certain offers were made, but difficulties arose and the matter dropped.

He also advifeed that the Farmers’ Freezing Company was now prepared to receive pigs and calves for freezing at a moderate price. The speakers were accorded a hearty vote of tharks. The following were elected to the committee for the ensuing term: Messrs. Geo. Smith (convener), R. Perry, T. Gardner and Dr, MacDiarmid,