New Zealander Charles Goldie, along with Gottfried Lindauer (1839-1929), helped define how the Maori people of New Zealand were seen by the outside world. After showing artistic talent at school and training under Louis John Steele (1842-1918) he went to the Académie Julian and visited art collections across Europe before returning home. He became devoted to Maori portraiture, developing friendships with his sitters and recording their culture. After his death, Goldie’s reputation suffered from a new focus on Modernism in New Zealand. He was also incorrectly perceived as a patronising imperialist, despite the Maori people always valuing his depictions of them, until the pioneering work of art historian Roger Blackley (1953-2019).

Artists featured in this Curation: Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947)
5 artworks
A Māori Chieftainess (Harata Rewiri Tarapata, 1831–1913)
Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

A Māori Chieftainess (Harata Rewiri Tarapata, 1831–1913) 1906

Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947)

Oil on canvas

H 61 x W 51 cm

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Te Aho Te Rangi Wharepu (1811–1910)
Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Te Aho Te Rangi Wharepu (1811–1910) 1907

Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947)

Oil on canvas

H 73 x W 59.5 cm

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Allee Same Te Pakeha (A Good Joke) – Te Aho Te Rangi Wharepu (1811–1910) in European Costume
Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Allee Same Te Pakeha (A Good Joke) – Te Aho Te Rangi Wharepu (1811–1910) in European Costume 1905

Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947)

Chromolithograph on paper

H 38.5 x W 30.5 cm

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Kai Paipa or Māori Woman (Katerina Nikorima)
Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Kai Paipa or Māori Woman (Katerina Nikorima) 1903

Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947)

Oil on canvas

H 37.5 x W 46.5 cm

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Suspicion: A Māori Chief
Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Suspicion: A Māori Chief 1906

Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947)

Oil on board

H 28 x W 22.6 cm

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum