' Angels & Aristocrats is an exciting culmination of a very long project celebrating the rich variety of early European art collected by New Zealand's public art galleries since the 19th century', says Kisler. In a fresh informal manner, Kisler reveals the changing meanings of artworks from the 13th to 19th centuries, bringing their stories alive for today's audience.

What: Angels & Aristocrats: Early European Art in New Zealand Public Collections Where: Auckland Art Gallery When: 23 March – 10 June Cost: Free Website: by the grand institutions of Europe, New Zealand's 19th-century colonists set about building a treasure trove of early European art for the nation's enjoyment.įrom religious iconography by Machiavelli to landscapes by Turner and portraiture by Gainsborough, Angels & Aristocrats showcases their acquisitions in a celebration of New Zealand's premier public art collections.ĭrawn from Senior Curator Mary Kisler's acclaimed 2010 book, Angels & Aristocrats brings together artworks from the collections of five New Zealand galleries: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery. Hughes was also the mistress of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, King Charles II’s cousin. Senior Curator Mary Kisler reveals the changing nature of artworks from the 13 th century to the 19 th century, allowing today’s audiences to experience the beautiful stories.Īlso included in the collection is a never-before exhibited in New Zealand portrait of Margaret Hughes – the first professional stage actress in England. See the beautiful artworks collected by the 19 th century colonists from religious iconography to portraits and landscapes.Īngels & Aristocrats brings together artworks from the collections of five New Zealand galleries, showcasing the treasure trove of early European art that the 19 th century colonists built.įrom religious iconography by Machiavelli to landscapes and portraiture, Angels & Aristocrats celebrates New Zealand’s public art collections.

Angels & Aristocrats by Mary Kisler