The Auckland Art Gallery announced today that they will receive a very generous gift of 15 paintings. The gift is from Julian and Josie Robertson, an American couple who have spent some time in New Zealand for the last 30 years. They said they love New Zealand. A few years ago some of their paintings were shown in the Auckland Art Gallery and Te Papa in Wellington. New Zealand children were very enthusiastic about the paintings. The children sent the Robertsons copies they had made of the paintings and letters of thanks. It is because of the enthusiasm of the children that the Robertsons decided to donate 15 paintings, worth millions of dollars.
The 15 paintings include works by Picasso, Mondrian, Matisse, Cézanne. At the moment, the Auckland Art Gallery has only one small painting by Picasso and none by these other great artists. The gift is wonderful for the Auckland Art Gallery and also for New Zealanders who will now be able to see paintings by these well-known artists.