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Story: Art galleries and collections

National Art Gallery, 1949

Video file

The National Art Gallery was requisitioned by the air force during the Second World War and the artworks were stored in Hastings. The art returned in 1949. Watch this film clip and take a tour through the gallery. The only painting in a modern style on film is Frances Hodgkins's 'Ruins'.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Weekly Review 401. National Film Unit, 1949

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Roger Blackley, Art galleries and collections – Galleries and collections, 1900 to 1960s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/42085/national-art-gallery-1949 (accessed 22 June 2026).

Story by Roger Blackley, published 28 June 2013, updated 8 August 2016.