B.
Gorgeous
Behind the scenes
A visit to the main public art gallery in Sheffield, England. and the first thing you see is the Rakaia Gorge.
Edwyn Temple The Gorge of the River Rakaia from Mt Hutt, New Zealand. Collection of the Guild of St George, Museums Sheffield. Reproduced with permission
The exhibition in which this work is hung, Force of Nature, Picturing Ruskin's Landscape, draws on Ruskin's own collection, known as the collection of the Guild of St George, now administered by Museums Sheffield.
As it happens, Ruskin wrote extensive notes on this particular work, stating that 'It must be distinctly understood that this drawing is placed in the Museum, only as an example of painting in the service of Natural History ... and not at all as an example of painting as an art.'
In other words it was decently drawn, topographically exact, but entirely lacking in expressive or dramatic power.
We have our own Rakaia view, again done by Temple which, although far less finished than the one Ruskin bought (for 25 guineas), in fact has more life and more humanity about it. Now if we could just ask Ruskin what he thinks of OUR version...
Edwyn Temple Rakaia Gorge. Collection Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased with assistance from the Olive Stirrat bequest 2004
Related
Collection
Edwyn Temple German Bay, Akaroa Harbour
Edwyn Temple described the reddish hue of the hills in this work as being due to the burnt and scorched remains of the dense bush which once covered the entire bay. German Bay was so named after the German immigrants who settled there in 1840. During World War I, with anti-German sentiment running high, many ships refused to pick up or drop off supplies at the bay, and it became known by its original Māori name of Takamatua. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have had painting and drawing tuition during his education in England and Italy and during his military training. Born in England, Temple served in the British Army’s 55th Regiment in Crimea and in India. He and his family travelled to New Zealand in 1879, and in 1880 he was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.
Collection
Edwyn Temple New Zealand glacier
Edwyn Temple regularly travelled throughout the South Island from the time of his arrival in Canterbury in 1879. In January 1892 he spent two weeks in the Mount Cook region where he completed numerous studies of Aoraki Mount Cook, including New Zealand glacier. Though largely self-taught, Temple acquired skills in painting and drawing during his education in England and Italy. He also painted regularly during his time with the British Army, which he joined in 1854. After serving in the Crimean campaign and in India, Temple returned to England in 1866. In 1879 he and his family travelled to New Zealand. He was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts in 1880 and was elected the society’s first secretary treasurer. He also showed work in the CSA’s first exhibition. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.
Collection
Edwyn Temple Canterbury Plain, New Zealand
This view of the Canterbury Plains is looking north from the country area of Geraldine, towards Mt Peel and Mt Hutt in the Southern Alps. The scene is close to ‘Castlewood’, Edwyn Temple’s property in South Canterbury, which he bought in 1881. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have acquired skills in painting and drawing during his education in England and Italy. He also painted regularly during his time with the British Army. Canterbury Plain, New Zealand highlights Temple’s mature representational style. Born in England, Temple joined the British Army in 1854. He served in the Crimean campaign and in India. Temple returned to England in 1866 but in 1879 he and his family travelled to New Zealand. He was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts in 1880 and was elected the society's first Secretary Treasurer. He also exhibited in the society’s first exhibition. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.
Collection
Edwyn Temple Haumuri Bluff from the south
Haumuri Bluff is the rocky headland found between the mouth of the Conway River and Oaro on the Kaikoura coastline of the South Island. Edwyn Temple and a companion travelled by buggy to the area in January 1892 and stayed there for four days, making daily trips out along the Bridle track. The sketches Temple made at this time were later worked into a number of watercolours. He was concerned to give a realistic and accurate portrayal of the scene. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have had painting and drawing tuition during his education in England and Italy and during his military training. Born in England, Temple served in the British Army's 55th Regiment in Crimea and in India. He and his family travelled to New Zealand in 1879 and, in 1880, he was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.