SARJEANT ART GALLERY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17583, 29 May 1919, Page 2

SARJEANT ART GALLERY.

A MAGNIFICENT BUILDING.

COMPLETION OF THE WORK

The Sarjeant Art Gallery is now completed, and Wanganui possesses a building which is a unique and treasured possession, thanks to a munificent gift from the late Mr. Henry Sarjeant. The site is an excellent one and, when the improvements to the environs of Queen’s Park are effected the gallery will be displayed to exceptional advantage.

The plan forms a Greek cross, measuring over all 146 feet wide by 125 feet deep. Entering the building one passes through a monumental vestibule, 25ft by 12ft, so designed as to make it a suitable place for statuary. On the left is situated the curator’s room, 20ft by 14ft, and on the right is a room of the same dimensions for miniatures. Just beyond the vestibule is a large central gallery, 24ft by 22ft, with a gallery on either side for small paintings, each measuring 22ft by 18ft. Passing on, the crowning feature of the whole building is then reached, viz., the stately sculpture hall, measuring 32ft by 32ft, the beautifully proportioned dome being 40ft above the level of the floor. In each corner of the hall is a niche for the reception of statuary. Passing through the archways on either side of the sculpture hall, one traverses open corridors, 52ft long by 12ft wide. On either side of each corridor there are two picture bays, each 16ft by 16ft, and one bay 18ft wide by 12ft, making a total of twelve picture galleries or bays in the two wings. Beyond the sculpture hall, towards the rear, is a second central gallery, 24 ft by 22ft, with a gallery on either side for small paintings as in the former central gallery. Beyond this, the rear stair, hall, and lobby are reached, with ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloak rooms on either side. Here, too, is access to the basement, which is set aside for working rooms, boiler room, coal bunkers, storage space, etc.

The exterior is faced with Oamaru limestone, a very suitable material for monumental work, economical to fashion, and, when laid on a proper bed, weathering well. The principle of lighting is based upon that adopted by the Royal Glass Palace at Munich, and also in the Mappin Art Gallery at Sheffield, England. The idea of the hanging ceiling in the miniature room was adopted by the architect from similar ideas used in American galleries. In the method used for lighting, the spectator remains in comparative darkness, the light falling on the picture walls only, and probably no art gallery could be found with a more scientific and effective system of lighting. The furnishings throughout are of the best. The door hinges have ball bearings, a great improvement over the ordinary kind. The exterior doors are of quarter-sawn white oak, and the wood finish within the galleries is of San Domingo mahogany, which gives a very rich effect. The doors in the retiring rooms and rear vestibule are of rimu.

The architect was Mr. E. Anscombe of Dunedin, and the contractors to erect the building were Messrs John Graham and Son, of Christchurch, their foreman of works being Mr. D. Hay. The clerk of works was Mr. John Brodie. The sub-con-tractors were Messrs R. and E. Tingey, painting; Messrs Halligan Bros., plumbing; Messrs Aubrey Gaulter, roof covering; the Ross Manufacturing Company, roof laying. All the work has been faithfully carried out and is a credit to those associated with it.