Degas to Dali to elsewhere

You now have only two-and-a-half weeks to see Auckland Art Gallery’s“Degas to Dali exhibition before it heads off elsewhere—and you must! As an exhibition of mostly minor works by major artists it is interesting, but as a survey of art from nineteenth century to late-twentieth it is virtually complete, and highly revealing.

The resuls of putting together in three rooms two centuries worth of artists who transformed the field is obvious even to the unlearned eye—and even to eyes who have learned to ignore the obvious, such as those of Listener art critic Edward Hanfling who confesses to having the scales fall from his:

The tradition we call “art” has steadily declined since the late 19th century. Did I really just write that? And why have I been studying and writing about modern and contemporary art all these years? But the proof of my assertion can be found at Auckland Art Gallery in Degas to Dalí...

And he’s right, you know.

Head along to Auckland Art Gallery and find out for yourself. And (something I never thought I’d say) listen to Hanfling:

Take my advice and spend as much time in the 19th century as you can.