Peter McIntyre

Peter McIntyre described Venice as “a glimpse of heaven seen in some ancient and inspired stage setting, for even the faces of the buildings are unlike any others of this earth as they float around you like ornate but time-mellowed jewels set in a shimmering sea of molten silver.” He also observed: “When poverty came to Venice, it acted as a perfect preservative. Other cities have always ruthlessly destroyed their treasures to make room for the new. Venice had not enough money to replace the old but just enough to preserve it.” McIntyre had first encountered Venice in 1945 as New Zealand’s Official War Artist with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Italian campaign. He returned in peacetime sixteen years later with his wife Patricia, and painted this view from the Ponte dell’Accademia, looking along the Grand Canal towards the domes of Santa Maria della Salute. In 1961, he exhibited a watercolour titled The Grand Canal, Venice—very likely this large and boldly painted work—along with other Italian paintings at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.

(Timeless: Treasures from the Historical Collection 19 September 2026 – 30 May 2027)