Five works in seven days
A preview of The Julian and Josie Robertson Promised Gift is on display at Auckland Art Gallery, featuring five works never before seen in New Zealand by Picasso, Braque, Dalí, Derain and Matisse.
In May 2009 Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki announced a promised gift of 15 works of art through its Foundation, including paintings by Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, Gauguin and Mondrian – the largest gift ever made to an art museum in Australasia.
The gift, from New York art collectors and philanthropists Julian and Josie Robertson, represents some of the major European artists of the modern era. Its cultural value places it among the most generous philanthropic acts in New Zealand history.
Now, for the first time in New Zealand and for one week only from 7-13 November, New Zealanders have the chance to see five of these works for free, as a sneak preview to the Robertson’s Promised Gift.
The preview includes Picasso’s Mere aux enfants a l’orange (1951), featuring his children Claude and Paloma. There is also a work from his great friend, artist George Braque La tasse (1911), and bold works from French artists, Henry Matisse Espagnole (1922), and Andre Derain’s Paysage al Estaque (1906) who were part of the Fauve group (the wild beasts).
And with the recent successful exhibition in Melbourne, work by the imaginative Spanish artist Salvador Dalí Instrument masochiste (1933-34), should not disappoint Gallery goers.
It is hoped the entire 15 works will be displayed for a short time following the new building’s planned 2011 opening and at intervals thereafter.
The Julian and Josie Robertson collection
Julian and Josie Robertson are always pleased to be able to share their “painted children” with New Zealanders. Following the announcement of the promised gift they said “We have a lifelong love affair with New Zealand. We love Auckland. And we love these pictures. That’s why we were so pleased when we brought these works to New Zealand that New Zealanders seemed to enjoy them as much as we do. Frankly, bringing the pictures was probably the most appreciated thing we have ever done. We are delighted to be able to make this gift.” The Robertsons also commented on the enthusiasm of ‘Kiwi kids” for their artworks contributed to their decision to gift their works for the first time.
Mayor of Auckland City John Banks said, “The Julian and Josie Robertson collection is an extraordinarily precious gift to the people of Auckland. It would be difficult to overstate the significance of this collection to our city and to Aucklanders who have previously had to travel overseas to see art of this calibre.”
Gallery director Chris Saines said that the generosity of the gift is “truly astonishing” and that “the effect of the gift will be far-reaching, transforming Auckland’s ability to tell the story of modern art.”
It will add substantially to the Gallery’s art collection and offer an opportunity for New Zealanders to access works of outstanding stature. It is an opportune time for the gallery as it works towards the completion of the $113 million refurbishment and expansion project.
In recognition of this singular act of philanthropy, a suite of rooms in the developed building’s 1887 Kitchener wing will be named the Julian and Josie Robertson Galleries.
Julian Robertson came to prominence as one of the most successful and dominant figures in the United States financial market in 1980 when he co-founded Tiger Management L.L.C., which became the world’s largest hedge fund. The family own two world-class golf resorts, Kauri Cliffs in Northland and Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay, and the iconic Te Awa and Dry River wineries.
