Māori Elder Portrait Achieves Record Price at New Zealand Auction

An oil painting depicting a Māori elder achieved a record price at an auction held on Tuesday, establishing it as the most valuable artwork of its type in New Zealand’s history. The piece, created by renowned local artist Charles Frederick Goldie, is a portrait of Wharekauri Tahuna, a priest believed to be among the last tattooed men of his generation. The sale, totaling NZ$3.75 million (US$2.2 million; £1.7 million), also represents the highest sum ever paid for any painting at auction within New Zealand, according to the auction house. This sale occurs amidst heightened racial tensions in New Zealand, following the government’s recent introduction of a bill that Māori have stated would infringe upon their rights. The painting, titled *Thoughts of a Tohunga*, was completed nine years prior to Goldie’s death in 1947, with art critics considering it his finest work. It portrays the priest adorned with a moko, or facial tattoo, and wearing a hei-tiki, a traditional pendant, around his neck. The transaction, involving an undisclosed buyer, establishes this artwork as the most valuable Māori portrait in New Zealand’s art history. Richard Thomson, director at the International Art Centre, informed the BBC that “Goldie was well loved by Māori during his lifetime, [he] lived in Auckland and met his subjects,” further noting that this was the painting’s first appearance for sale in 33 years. He added, “New Zealanders have an affinity with their history and portraits by Goldie have always been sought after,” and mentioned that his auction house has sold 13 Goldie paintings since 2016, with each fetching over a million New Zealand dollars from buyers. Wharekauri Tahuna was a preferred subject for Goldie, appearing in several of his creations. Māori constitute approximately 18% of New Zealand’s population; however, many experience disadvantage compared to the general populace when measured by indicators such as health outcomes, household income, education levels, and rates of incarceration and mortality. A seven-year disparity in life expectancy persists. Last week, the political party Act, a junior partner in the coalition government, attempted to advance legislation that would reinterpret the nation’s foundational agreement with Māori people, known as the Treaty of Waitangi. Thousands of individuals participated in a nine-day march opposing the bill earlier last week. While the bill successfully passed a first reading, its passage through a second reading is improbable, as Act’s coalition partners have indicated their lack of support. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.