15 Max Gimblett (b 1935) The Rose of Paracelsus-4 ink and pencil on paper signed and dated ‘Max Gimblett 2002’ (lower right); inscribed with title (lower left) 58 x 75cm $4,000 - $7,000 Provenance with Tinakori Gallery, Wellington, July 2007 Estate of Sir Ivor & Jane Richardson, Wellington
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D UN B AR S L O A NE
“Helen Klisser During, the NZ art consultant here in New York City…visited me one day bringing a client who purchased and gave me thirty red roses. I changed the water every second day or so and after they were here what felt like about two/three weeks, without dying or dropping away in any way I clicked, Paracelsus and started the watercolours. They lasted weeks more as I drew!! In the story, very briefly, Paracelsus, the great, real and actual mad German alchemist wanted an apprentice. One showed and demanded to see a miracle, a transformation that is a dead handful of rose aches brought
back to life. Paracelsus, of course, would not do this and showed him the door, then Paracelsus opened his hand and these was a blooming sweet smelling red rose. If you read up on the symbolism of the rose on the internet the story will deepen. I love those watercolours, the helios is an 18-point northern star and also the Lotus so a meeting point, a resting place between east and west…perhaps. Congratulations to the collector, one of my best works.” Max Gimblett, 2007