GRAPHIC ART

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 6

GRAPHIC ART

City Loan Exhibition Opened Today

FINE RANGE OF PRINTS

r^R RANGED for the purpose of giv- * ing the public of Auckland an opportunity to study the whole range of graphic art, the Loan Exhibition opening at the Art Gallery today is the most comprehensive of its kind yet seen in the city. Its artistic significance is great, but it 3 major quality is it 3 instructiveness. Most people have some vague acquaintance with

some of the methods employed in graphic art but the chance of having the knowledge correlated rarely comes along. Such an opportunity is given in the present exhibition, and for that, among other reasons, it is assured of a welcome.

During 1927, the Library Committee of the Auckland City Council arranged print exhibitions which were much appreciated by the public. Through them a certain amount of artistic service was done for the community, and it is sincerely to be hoped that similar exhibitions will be arranged periodically in the future. SKILFULLY ARRANGED The value of the present exhibition lies partially in Its skilful arrangement, and the credit for this is due to Mr. John Barr, director of the Art Gallery, and Mr. T. V. Gulliver. The catalogue is embellished with reproductions of some of the more important pictures in the exhibition, and Mr. Gulliver has written an informative set of notes on the various processes. Ranging as it does from the 16th century right to the present day, the exhibition facilitates the study of changing methods in the various mediums used. The pictures in the show have been lent by Auckland collectors, and a consignment of major importance comes from the Turnbull Library, Wellington. From that institution has come four examples of woodcuts by Albrecht Durer, each Is a superb picture, and the group is the earliest shown. By way of contrast they are placed beside a remarkable group of modern wood engravings, one of which is “The Exodus” by Frank Brang'vyn, and another, a still life Lionel Lindsay. The dry points and etchings on account of their process being- better known than the others will probably command most attention from the casual observer, and as some choice examples have been chosen, the attention given will be amply justified. Among the etchings is a Rembrandt -*‘Tho Descent from the. Cross by Torchlight.” It is a superb example of the etcher’s craft, and with it is a portrait by Van Dyck. The group includes excellent work by Norman Lindsay. Frank Brangwyn and Julius Komjati. a Czech artist, who is now much in favour in London. LeeHankey is- represented by “The Fight,” an attractive drypoint. GOOD VARIETY

There is good variety among the mezzotints, two of which are after paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The stipple engravings include a set of the famous “Cries of London,” by Vcndramini, which are now much sought by collectors. There are also a number of choice examples of acquatints and lithographs. The colour processes are shown at their best in a tasteful group, which includes Japanese prints and also brilliantly fresh Baxter and Le Bond prints.

The organisers of the exhibition have not neglected the work of New Zealanders, and samples of work in various mediums are shown. The artists represented are T. V. Gulliver, A. Rae, David Payne, Arnold Goodwin, Harry Wallace, H. Senior and Trevor Lloyd.