Art with Love

Auckland Art Gallery has been gifted 15 major works of art, including Picasso’s “Femme à la résille (Woman in a hairnet),” at a total of $115 million, the largest ever donation to an Australasian art museum. Auckland Art Gallery said that it had received the gift from the New York collectors and philanthropists Julian H. Robertson Jr and Josie Robertson, consisting of 12 paintings and 3 works on paper, including portraits by Picasso from 1938 and 1951, a landscape by Gauguin from 1884 and an abstract geometric painting by Mondrian from around 1920. “We have had 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,” the Robertsons said. “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 are the owners of Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers golf courses.