Fed: Margaret Olley donates Degas sketch to NGA

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2008
Fed: Margaret Olley donates Degas sketch to NGA

By Susanna Dunkerley

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - Australian galleries have been spending up big on the wrong sorts
of art for many years, artist Margaret Olley says.

The 85-year-old philanthropist made the comment as she donated a sketch of a ballerina
by French impressionist Edgar Degas to the National Gallery of Australia on Thursday.

"I wish one had bought more (Degas) in those days because they were much cheaper," Ms Olley said.

"I think Australia has been buying the wrong paintings, instead of the (contemporary)
American paintings, they should be buying quality."

The sketch 'Dancer in Fourth Position 1885', is a signature piece of Degas, who often
used the subject of dance in his works.

It brings to nine the number of works by Degas in the gallery's collection.

The donation also coincides with the first Degas exhibition to be shown in Australia,
opening in Canberra next week.

Ms Olley recalled how she felt completely "bowled over" when she first saw a Degas
work in Paris many years ago.

"I think his paintings are absolutely beautiful."

"Some of them are almost abstract, minimal and the colour is absolutely superb."

Degas' works include sketches, paintings, sculpture and photography.

He was part of the modern art movement of artists, that included Cezanne, Manet and
van Gogh, who used every day subjects over the classical and religious forms.

Ms Olley described him as a grandfather of modern art.

"Cezanne is the father of modern art, but I have always believed that Degas and Manet
are the grandfathers."

The sketch is the second Degas work Ms Olley has donated to an Australian gallery.

Degas - Master of French Art - will open to the public at the NGA on December 12.

AAP sld/rl/wf

KEYWORD: DEGAS (PIX AVAILABLE)

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