Biographical entry Nan Kivell, Rex De Charembac (1898 - 1977)
Sir
- Born
- 8 April 1898
Christchurch, New Zealand - Died
- 7 June 1977
London, England - Occupation
- Art Collector, Art Dealer, Benefactor and Writer of Inscription
Details
Rex De Charembac Nan Kivell was an art dealer, collector and benefactor. Born the son of a small businessman, with the given name Reginald, Nan Kivell styled himself as a European sophisticate. He developed a taste for modern European art and collected books, paintings, prints, documents, manuscripts and artefacts relating to the history of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. In 1959 Nan Kivell sold his collection to the National Library of Australia for £70,000, a fraction of its market value. In recognition of his benefaction, the Australian government recommended his appointment to the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1966.
Source
Thompson, John R. Nan Kivell, Sir Rex De Charembac (1898-1977), Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Accessed 19 December 2012.
