AT THE ACADEMY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 7

AT THE ACADEMY

The private view at the Academy is always interesting. English people and New Zealanders alike, who are lucky enough to receive cards, are sure to see rhany celebrities there. It is an occasion when everybody seems to be in a good temper. Something spontaneous and friendly about the private view, rather difficult to put into words* takes from it all formality. To begin with, people are genuinely interested in the pictures, and there is much excitement as to what the portraits will be like —as to whether certain artists have “broken out” in any new direction —or any new star has arisen in the artistic firmament. Little groups of acquaintances meet and talk, and part again, only to form another group in the next room. And the more serious minded portion of the crowd go about with a catalogue (presented free at the private view), a pencil, and a notebook and a frown. The frocks, too, are so pretty, and this' year they were prettier than ever. Smart tailor-mades, soft feminine chiffons, sable coats, strings of pearls, Paris hats. Quite a number of bishops were at the Academy recently, and also the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Mrs. Davidson, who was dressed in mauve and wore a brown fur. It amused me, says an English correspondent, to hear scraps of conversations. Inquiries as to how so-and-so liked his or her portrait, comments on the picture of the Queen, a very nice one, by the way. There were various arresting pictures “Morning,” by Mrs. Dod Procter, had the most marvellous flesh painting I have ever seen. Both Mws. Procter and her husband are artists, and live in a delightful house at Newlyn,. near Penzance. Mr. Procter’s big picture, “The Judgment of Paris: a Decoration,” will probably be much discussed. Among well-known Australians present were th«e High Commissioner for Australia and Lady Cook, Lady Connolly, Lady Moulden, and the Agent-General for Tasmania and Mrs. Eccles Snowden.

More orthodox evening gowns emphasise the continued craze for fringe, together with embroideries and beadwork. There has been a great deal of talk about the return of ostrich feather trimming, but so far the rumour does not appear to have materialised to any noticeable extent. Dance frocks attain almost to uniformity in the long, glittering crystal fringe that in so many instances constitutes their main motif. All-lace evening dresses share an almost equal popularity with the ehiffon-and-lace variety. Satin, decorated with the inevitable beadwork, is also well liked.