Titiro ki muri kia whakatika ā mua
Preserving the past to enlighten the future


Artwork by Dame Janet Paul (1919-2004)

Dame Janet Paul was a painter, publisher, and art historian who played a significant role in New Zealand’s cultural life. After a notable career in publishing with her husband Blackwood Paul during the 1950s and 1960s, she worked as an art librarian at the Alexander Turnbull Library from 1971-1980. She was widely respected for her artwork and writing, and served as a mentor to many New Zealand artists, writers and poets.

Courtesy of Charlotte Paul.

Next Event

  • Jeffrey Sissons: The Forgotten Prophet and the Taranaki Iconoclasm

    Jeffrey Sissons will revisit material from his book The Forgotten Prophet and present a new understanding of the politically significant yet overlooked Taranaki iconoclasm

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For future events see Events


The Alexander Turnbull Library is a guardian of our heritage, a great research institution serving the general public and scholars in the fields of historical research, literary, cultural and genealogical studies. The Friends of the Turnbull Library promotes public interest in the Library’s collections and supports research and use of its collections.