NEW YORK CITY – The Richard York Gallery is opening “Paintings by Peter Lyons” on March 7. It will be the first New York show for this New Zealand-born artist noted for his dreamlike, yet realistic, landscapes.

Trained as a physicist, Lyons treats the subjects of his paintings — deserted railroad yards, industrial tanks and empty city streets — with an awed and respectful eye.

The 17 oils in the show are painted on Masonite in a highly finished, meticulous manner, with layer upon layer of glaze radiating the light of the place depicted. The large scale and horizontal format of the paintings –the largest measures 70 inches across — serve to envelop the viewer in their dreamlike settings.

Lyons was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1960. After graduating from university with a degree in physics, Lyons devoted himself to painting. After a small but successful local exhibition in New Zealand, Lyons earned enough money to move to Los Angeles in 1990. In 1996 he relocated to Boston, where he lives today.

The Richard York Gallery is at 21 East 65th Street. For information, 212-772-9155 or www.artdealers.org/members/york.html.