From Picks to Pietas with Mary Kisler

Mary Kisler is the recipient of the Auckland Library Heritage Trust scholarship for 2020/2021. Join her to hear about James Tannock Mackelvie's rise to fame, and her research in the Mackelvie archive held in Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections.

James Tannock Mackelvie only spent six years in Auckland, from 1865 to 1871, spending much of his time dealing with everyday business in his role at Brown, Campbell & Co. But it was the careful investments he made during his time here that provided funds to furnish a wide array of art, books and objects of virtu for the benefit of the people of Auckland.

Sent to Auckland after his death in 1885, his archive shows he threw very little away so that his annotated catalogue for the Hamilton Palace sale in 1882 rests alongside lists of everyday expenses - tea, picks, shovels and beef provided for miners in their eager search for gold.

Art historian, curator and writer, Mary Kisler worked for 21 years at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. She has led art tours to Europe and Australia and has been involved in art discussions with Kim Hill on Radio New Zealand’s Saturday Morning programme for many years.

She is the Auckland Library Heritage Trust scholarship winner for 2020/2021 and is currently researching a biography of James Tannock Mackelvie.

This event will be held in the Whare Wānanga on Level 2 of the Central City Library and online via Zoom.

Image: George Halkett. James Tannock Mackelvie, 1884. Mackelvie Trust Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, bequest of James Tannock Mackelvie, 1885. M1885/1/32.

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Email arc@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to book (booking essential) or register in advance to join the online webinar via Zoom.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining via Zoom.

For more Auckland Libraries' HeritageTalks see the website.