FINE ART IN MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2835, 29 February 1888, Page 3

FINE ART IN MASTERTON.

AA Visit to Mr Gaut's Studio, With tie few opportunities which exist with those who live in Masterton and have a love for the fine arts, to satisfy their taste, the invitation which Mr J. Gaut, who is an artist holding South Kensington certificates, extended, to visit and inspect his group of oil paintings was yestterday accepted by our representative with a pleasure that was increased only when upon gaining the artist's studio in the old Bank of New South Wales, Queen-street, it was seen what a really nice little collection Mr Gaut has as the result of his stay amongst us. He, it should be mentioned, is gradually travelling through New Zealand studying the art of the colony, and, after starting at Auckland, our artist has gradually made his way down to Masterton. Upon gaining Mr Gaut's rooms, where.that gentleman received us njttt courteously, we at once saw that Mover suitable they were for painting in, they were hardly as good for exhibition purposes, the range of sight being limited, and the pictures, as Mr Gaut is going to pack up at the end of the week, not being hung, They also suffer, too, in not all being framed, and some were not varnished. Notwithstanding these we found a really admirable collection, and pictures painted with an artistic skill that would be at once recognised and appreciated by those who are lovers of nature reproduced. There are altogether in Mr Gaut's works fifteen pictures, ten of which are Maori subjects, four are landscapes, andoueisanude. They are all in oil, and have been taken from life or from nature, as the case may be. Pictures No. 1 to No. 6, all depict Maori men, each, with one exception, b/itein native costume, and being ifi|Ried with the usual greenstone and whalebone implements and ornaments. The largest painting, and the most imposing one, is a life-size portrait of Tawhiao, the Maori King. This, however, is only half finished, but it gives promiao of being a picture q{ no ordinary merit, and will bo,

perhaps, as good a specimen as could be had of tho Maori in his uncivilized state. The features and expression are admirably portrayed, and the look of almost ferocity, blended with a certain noblo dignity is admirably re-produced. The outside measurement of this picture, including the frame, will be Oft x Oft, and Mr Gaut informed us that he intends exhibiting it at the coming Melbourne Exhibition in October. One feature of this picture must not be overlooked, it is tlio.fidolity with which the beautiful Native mat of Kiwi feathers, which is flung over the left shoulder, ia shown, each feather being brought out with surprising and realistic clearness, Picture No. 2 is a head study of the same subject, and being quite finished can more easily' be comprehended. The tatooing which is artistically treated is a feature of this portrait, and the face is very lifelike. Portrait No. 3 is one of Hitiri Te Pairata, the well-known Waikato Chief. This is the more civilized typo, frank, smiling, and pleasant. In this and throughout Mr Gaut's works it will bo noticed that he has avoided that softness, that toning down, which, though much in favor with some artists, and no doubt helping to produce a pretty picture, to an extent mars the effort as a likeness, and destroys to a degree what would be perhaps an exceedingly expressive face.- We must say we much prefer the force and power which the subject gains under, the former treatment with the more faithful brush. Pictures <i, 5, and G, are also Maori men, the latter being in European oostume, and as is always the case when natives will persist in adopting its stiffness in preference to the graceful folds of their own garments, it loses much in effect, and is the only one that cannot be termed quitti a success, The other two Tumuaki, a Wanganm chief, which though small, struck us as the best bust painting in the studio, and Piripi, a deceased Papawai chief, both seemed faithful representatives of types of the ordinary Maori, and in one case the subject being an old man, a grey beard lends a striking contrast to the remainder of the picture, adding too, as it does, to the almost benevolent expression of the person portrayed, Pictures Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 10, are paintings of Maori women, The first, that of Pari Whakarorangi the Waikato chieftainess, shows a remarkably handsome woman with splendid and abundant jet black hair, She is considered by thenatives to be a "beauty," and certainly Mr Gaut's masterly portrait shows her as such. The other three, 8, 9, and 10, portray Maori girls, one with her nice looking face, being, we should imagine, quite a belle among her fellows. Another figure shows to advantage in the gypsey-like costume.whichis now much affected by tho natives, and which consists of a sort of blend of European and Maori garments in about equal proportion. No 11 is a study in the nude, entitled " Modesty." . The four remaining pictures are landscapes, and one of them, No. 12, is a perfect little gem, and is certainly a picture which should not be allowed to seek a purchaser outside the district. It is a view on the Waipoua river, taken from the second Waipoua bridge, just outside Masterton, and shows the winding stream, with the snow clad Tararua Ranges in the distance. As a landscape the picture would be hard to surpass. It is small, but the tints are admirable and the hues of the landscape, which in New Zealand views are so hard for the artist to hit, are very happily treated in the deep tone about the bush, the peculiar plum-purple color of the hills, and in minor details of the picture. Another landscape in the studio is a rich example of coloring, entitled " Sunset on Lake Wanaka," and a third i 3 " sunset in Otira Gorge." The last view, No. 15, is a scene at TeKunu, in theKiug Country, and shows a Maori pah, with, at its foot, a picturesque river, bearing on its bosom the ever-present Maori canoe. The exhibition, taken as a whole, is a very interesting and valuable one, and as such a collection is not likely to be on view in Masterton again, we should recommend all who can do so to take advantage of the chance of seeing the pictures, which is afforded by Mr Gaut having kindly consented to throw his studio open to the public from 10 a.m. to 12, and from 3 to G p.m. to-morrow (Thursday). Ladies and gentlemen alike are invited,