"Mr Cook and La Peruse from Fox Glacier, West Coast of New Zealand by E. Airini Vane, purchased Auckland, 1958" is written in pencil on the papered backside of the framed oil painting, and re-written on a paper label affixed as well. So we know a good deal about the painting, including that I found it in an impressive East Coast USA estate. When I first saw it, I thought 'California plein air painting, Sierras', into which genre it could very well fit. Beautifully done, palette and stroke, the artist is well listed. A lovely landscape with a loose feel to it - almost Impressionist. While I am unsure why, it is framed with a cover glass/glazing. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Mair, Kate, 1891-1965, Mair, Kathleen Airini, 1891-1965, Mair, Kathleen Irene, 1891-1965, Vane, Kitty, 1891-1965
Artist, who signed her art work K Airini Vane. Daughter of Captain Gilbert Mair and Kate nee Sperry. Her mother died when she was three and she was brought up by a Scottish nurse, Miss Henry. Brought up in Auckland she studied art under Mr Kennett Watkins, and later at the Royal College of Art in London (1912). During WWI she met her husband Hon Captain Ralph Vane (3rd son of Lord and Lady Barnard of Raby Castle). They married in London in 1917, and then travelled extensively. She painted at every opportunity, exhibiting Academy in Paris in 1924, and in Malta. Her husband died in 1928, and later she travelled even more extensively - Canada, Africa, New Zealand, America. During WWII she revisited NZ and spent the war years here. Her great love was trees and in particular the Pohutakawa, earning her the title `The Pohutakawa Lady'. In 1953 she returned to NZ to settle at Laings Beach where she died in Feb 1965
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, again, framed with a cover glass even though it is an oil painting and not a watercolor, the which one might expect a glass for protection. The frame is simple wood, painted at one time perhaps a pale creamy gold. I've shown it close-up, as well, so you can see. You may wish to have this beautiful little painting re-framed to your liking. I find no flaws, no holes, no real loss apart from torn paper dust protective backing, as shown.
