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Introduction
Joseph Griffiths Swayne, 1819-1903 Canterbury Plains from the Port Hills Showing the Coast of Pegasus Bay near Christchurch, NZ 1861 oil on canvas; 89.7 x 135.3 cm
The view shown in this painting held special interest for Nan Kivell as it portrays the site of his childhood home. Wishing to buy the painting, Nan Kivell faced initial reluctance from the owner. She did not particularly like the painting, but it covered a nasty stain on her drawing room wall. To remove the painting would reveal the stain! Nan Kivell offered to redecorate the room if allowed to purchase the painting. Joseph Griffiths Swayne was an eminent English obstetrician who travelled to New Zealand in 1858 for the sake of his health. Staying a year, he painted a watercolour of Pegasus Bay and Canterbury Plains, which is thought to have been the basis for this oil painting. In keeping with Nan Kivell's comprehensive approach to collecting, the watercolour is also in his collection.
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A selection of images from the Paradise Possessed exhibition. National Library of Australia. Click here to find out more about NLA exhibitions. Copyright: ©1998, National Library of Australia
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