Tuesday 25 October 2011

Grace Joel


The Gallery was recently visited by Mr Hartley Joel. Hartley is the nephew of Grace Joel (1865-1924) and it was from him that we were able to secure her painting Girl with Scarf c1896.

This informal oil portrait is one of the most important nineteenth century portraits created in New Zealand. It was Hartley’s specific wish that his aunt’s great painting, dating from her Dunedin period, remain in Auckland and be accessible to the public. Through his generosity, and with the auspices of the Lyndsey Garland Bequest, the Gallery was able to acquire this exceptionally rare portrait.

Like Rita Angus, Grace Joel has a number of residential villages named in her honour of her contribution to the arts.

Caption:
Hartley Joel with Grace Joel's Girl with Scarf, 2011
photograph: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki

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