Marcus King’s artistic achievements, spanning fine and commercial art over 50 years, are without New Zealand parallel. Arguably New Zealand’s most viewed artist – his work was exhibited to a multimillion global audience – King was trusted for decades to paint New Zealand as an alluring tourism utopia and progressive agricultural and industrial power. Born in 1891, he is perhaps best known for his graphic art, especially the posters he produced for the New Zealand Tourism and Publicity Department in the 1930s. He was also a fine artist however, and his vision for his paintings – fresh, expansive, productive, aspirational – was his vision for New Zealand. He was part of the emergence of a truly national art, uniquely New Zealand in light and story, embracing Maori culture – including our most recognisable Treaty image – and, bucking landscape tradition, commercial development of the land

It would be reasonable to assume that Marcus King’s story would be well known, and that he would be celebrated for his considerable cultural contribution. Yet, until now, his art and life has remained largely unknown. Peter Alsop’s book however, puts that to right, and for the first time Marcus King is given due credit in this lavishly illustrated, beautifully produced book.

Author Biography: Peter Alsop is a senior executive who has worked across the public and private sectors. He is a keen collector of New Zealand art, with particular collecting interests in tourism publicity, early advertising. His previous books are Selling the Dream: The art of early New Zealand tourism (with Dave Bamford), and Promoting Prosperity: The art of early New Zealand advertising.