A treasured piece of New Zealand art, recently re-discovered after being lost to the art world for 100 years, will go under the hammer next month. The existence of a portrait of former Auckland mayor Sir John Logan Campbell was only known about as its painter - Louis John Steele - was pictured in his studio in 1903 sitting in front of it. It is a masterpiece and captures Sir John at Kilbryde, the mansion he built in 1881 at the site now occupied by the Parnell Rose Gardens. "Sadly the house was demolished in 1924 so this painting, which portrays Sir John sitting at his desk with a view to Rangitoto Island, is an incredibly important window into Auckland's past. It largely launched Goldie's career but it also led to a rift between Steele and Goldie after Steele resented the attention his former pupil was getting.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 03, 2017 00:11 UTC