Overview
Take a rare opportunity to glimpse into the private art
collection of American philanthropists Julian and Josie Robertson,
and view extraordinary work by some of the major European artists,
from Dalí to Derain, Matisse to Mondrian.
Inspired by a six-month business trip to Auckland, the
Robertsons began their love affair with New Zealand in 1979. Thirty
years later, and with an enduring relationship established, they
announced a significant gift of European modernist works to the
Auckland Art Gallery - the largest gift ever made to an
Australasian art gallery.
Now, for the first time, this gift is on display in its
entirety, allowing you to explore paintings and prints by the
masters of the modern era. Discover Picasso's Mere aux enfants
à l'orange, 1951, which features his young lover, François
Gilot, alongside their children, Claude and Paloma. See for
yourself Cézanne's La route (Le mur d'enceinte), 1875-6,
which illustrates the signature style that proved so influential to
the art world of the late 1800s, and take a closer look at the
disturbing and dream-like world of Salvador Dalí's Instrument
masochiste, 1933-4.
With 15 works covering the period from 1875 to 1951, including a
full set of Matisse's Jazz, the Julian and Josie Robertson
Promised Gift brings you face to face with the artists who changed
our world, including Gauguin, Braque, Léger, Bonnard and
Fantin-Latour, and with masterpieces seldom seen.
A catalogue of the Promised Gift will be available in the
Gallery shop.
Until 30 October 2011
International historic art, Level 1
Free entry
Indemnified by the New Zealand Government through 
Image: Paul Cézanne, La route (Le mur d'enceinte) The
Road (The Old Wall), 1875-1876
oil on canvas, promised gift of Julian and Josie
Robertson