Queensland Art Gallery Presscuttings Book 10 : Record of press coverage, March 1982 - May 1984

,•· The Courier-Mail 26 Jul y 1983 Aprivate collection of historical importance • - Walter Withers' study for Tranquil Waters, which grabs essential appearance with an engaging freshness (this is also true of McCubbin's loosely necked oil of his studio at Ma– cedon) . THE BEHAN COLLECTION, one of the major private col– lections in this country, has a distinguished history. It began in the early 'fifties wilh the acquisition of a small number of early Australi a n works for the purpose of collect– ing chronologically. Realising the importance of art in the education of the young, Dr Behun soon loaned much of his collection 10 Stuar• 1holme. The collection kept growing and increased in value. When the new University Art Muse– um opened, the Behan Collec– tion was transferred there on perm·,nent loan, where many pcop1.. will have seen it. However, many others will sec it for the firsl time now, at the Queensland Art Gallery, where (by arrangement with Dr Norman Bechan, C.M.G. LLD (Hon.) and the University of Queensland) il is on loan for a period of 1hr~'C months. The large di splay also in– cludes imporlanl works of arl Dr Behan donated to the Queensland Arl Gallery. such as his own ponrail . painted so marvellously by Sam Full- Dr NORMAN BEHAN brook, three studies and an un• finished large portrait of Dr Behan by William Debell, and Epstcin's bronze "Kitty". Without attempting to cover the whole of this large exhibi– tion , I should like to mention some works: • - The early water color portrait of Sir John Franklin, which must be one of Waine– wright's most sensitive and ele– gant portraits. • - S.T. Gill 's delightful character study, The Old Toper. Many of the artists arc repre– sented by more than one work. Tom Roberts's delicious pencil study, Monsieur Pfund, 1s one of several small Roberts. Streeton's Notre Dame des Victoires sings out with its love– ly paint:quality and romantic feeling ; Paintin~s by Rupert Bunny include his quiet, sensi• tively realised French Peasant Woman. Regimental Portrait Group is an important example of George Lambcrt's very percep– tive absorption of Velasquez. Lambcrt's Theatre Party (a gift to the University Art Museum) is another good example of the Spanish influence. Although I am not a fan of the absurdly doclrinary Max Meldrum, I always admired "Frosted Poplars" . There arc good examples of the art of many, including Lloyd Rees, Frater, Wakel in, Pcndlcbury. Slowly, and wilh much zeal and love, Dr Behan has brought together quite a collection of Australian art, which, of course as must be, also reflects the taste of the collector. It can be seen that figurative expression– ism found favor (there arc more examples of it in Dr Behan's possession than are included here) but, there is no example of non-objective art and no rep– re s entation of deserving younger artists living al pres– ent . Fair enough - this is a pri– vate collection, and as it stands deserves respect. - Dr GERTRUDE LANGER I