Launching 18 years of book research

In a glittering occasion at the historic Grand Hotel Whanganui, Gottfried Lindauer Life of the Artist and his Works by Kevin and Joan McIntyre was launched on Friday September 7.

The choice of site reflected the huge support given to Kevin and Joan by Ed and Hinemoa Boyd who printed the book (HA Print) and help sponsor the Lindauer Art Exhibition in Woodville, along with Grand Hotel owner Neville Gorrie.

Kevin and Joan displayed the first copy of the book and several copies of self portraits of Lindauer before a real copy was produced.

Kevin explained the 18-year journey of research which created the book, its trials, its discoveries and its connections with Whanganui.

Hamish McDouall, Mayor of Whanganui, congratulated Kevin and Joan saying it fills in the gaps about Lindauer.

He said as a writer himself he knew the challenges in creating such a volume of work.

He called it “a thing wellmade and a truly magnificent book”.

Renowned Auckland archivist Evan Lewis, who had helped Kevin and Joan when they were struggling to put their knowledge into book form, spoke about the book.

“These days there is tremendous interest in stories of colonial and post-colonial New Zealand and this book is a wonderful read, bearing the fruits of a very long 18 years of obsessive research.”

He said it was vital people collect the stories while there are still people alive to tell them.

Kevin and Joan’s research has recognised 448 paintings comprising publicly known works, private family commissions and 115 publicly unknown works.

Since the book has been published three more paintings have come to light.

It contains 260 pages — 180 of them in colour — with almost 400 portraits, together with a comprehensive description of Lindauer’s early life in the Czech Republic and his later life in New Zealand.

Six descendants of the Lindauers attended the launch.

For the next hour people lined up to buy their copy if they had not purchased on line.

The book costs $115 plus $15 for packaging and postage.

It can be purchased by e-mailing kj.mcintyre@xtra.co.nz

Kevin, Joan, members of the Lindauer family flanked by mayors Hamish McDouall and Tracey Collis with pictures of the ancestors.

Renowned archivist Evan Lewis spoke on glowing terms about the book.

Kevin and Joan explain some of the challenges and little known facts about Lindauer to the audience.

More than 70 guests, nearly half from Tararua, attended the function.

Kevin and Joan McIntyre with backers Hinemoa and Ed Boyd reveal the book Gottfried Lindauer Life of the Artist and his Works to the guests in the Grand Hotel Whanganui.