The Thrill of the chase

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is pleased to announce A Century of Modern Art as its special winter exhibition this year. 

Join art historian and former Mackelvie Curator Mary Kisler as she explores the irresistible draw of collecting, as seen through the eyes of our founding benefactor, James Tannock Mackelvie.

While James Tannock Mackelvie, like many nineteenth-century gentlemen, left the running round on muddy fields or leaping on horseback in pursuit of foxes to others. For him, another sort of chase filled him with both adrenalin and delight, the search for beautiful objects imbued with histories; the glowing pages of illustrated books; hand-coloured prints reflecting everyday life, and occasionally a larger prize, such as a seventeenth century oil painting from a famous Scottish castle. 

In this talk, Mary Kisler shares the thrill of the chase, without the need to get your feet wet.

Saturday 20 September
Auditorium, Auckland Art Gallery
10.30AM - 11.30AM

Presented as part of the 2025 Auckland Heritage Festival.