CHEVALIER, Nicholas (1828-1902) 'Mt Alta, Wanaka Lake, Otaga,' c1866. Signed lower left W/Clr 25.5x36.5cm
PROVENANCE: John Morrison, first Agent General to New Zealand in the 1860s; Leonard Joel Melbourne 2nd Nov 1977 (lot 139) when sold as 'The Minarets, on Wanaka Lake;' 'Menzies 24th Sept 2015 (lot 137); Savill Galleries, Sydney (label verso).
LITERATURE: S Gregg, 'Nicholas Chevalier: Australian Odyssey,' Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale, Vict. p.137. Related work: 'Mount Alta, Wanaka Lake, Province of Otago, New Zealand,' 1876, sold at Sotheby's London, Topographical Paintings 27th May 1988 (lot 134).
OTHER NOTES: According to 'Nicholas Chevalier, An Artist's Journey Through Canterbury in 1866,' Neil Roberts, The Caxton Press, 1992, Chevalier reached Lake Wanaka on June 11th, 1866, and stayed in the area sketching until around June 19th. Many of these sketches were worked into watercolours upon his return to Canterbury around June 26th. Due to public interest in the trip, a public exhibiton of more than 200 works was held at the Christchurch Town Hall on July 3-5, where the Lyttleton Times described many as being 'finished watercolour sketches [showing] wonderful freedom and boldness of pencil ... geological character of the country preserved, with the greatest minuteness and fidelity without having the least approach to mannerism.' Estimate $8,000-15,000