More Life Wanted.

Another artistic visitor of ours has expressed surprise that New Zealand painters devote themselves so exclusively to landscape without the touch of human life that gives double interest to the picture. Too true, ye artists! There is a maddening monotony in the landscapes we see year after year in our exhibitions, and in some of the permanent collections. I have often suggested that our artists would develop some originality of subject and treatment. There is the wonderful wealth of Maori legend; there is the inspiring history of our country. Most artists seem quite ignorant of both; it may be that they are afraid of their capacity in figure drawing.