"This landmark book on New Zealand artists and their work was first published in 1971, then extended to 1990 by art historian Michael Dunn and now again to 2010 by art historian, writer and lecturer Edward Hanfling. The original text by Gil Docking, former director of the Auckland City Art Gallery, covers the period from European discovery up until 1969, and is presented in its completely original form, making for a fascinating look at what was being thought and written about New Zealand paintings thirty-something years ago. Michael Dunn's narrative takes over to complete the picture through the 1970s and 1980s, and then Edward Hanfling looks at New Zealand painting and its evolution over the last twenty years, when many painters saw their medium as a vehicle for addressing issues or generating a range of meanings, rather than dealing with visual or formal concerns. In total, this new edition features more than 200 paintings. This book is an ideal introduction to the development of New Zealand painting from its very beginning, and also the development of critical thinking about the work of New Zealand artists over the last 40 years. Detailed bibliography and index makes this an ideal book for students." --Ubsbooks.co.nz.