Inscribed on original artist's label affixed verso Tamaiti Tukino an Arawa Chieftainess by C F Goldie £8-8-0

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Bay of Plenty

In this painting Goldie depicts the ninety year old Chieftainess, Tamaiti Tukino, a descendant of the paramount chief of the Tuwharetoa tribe, Te Heuheu Tukino, (1780-1846). The tribe Ngati Tuwharetoa takes its name from this powerful chief who lived near present day Kawerau. Te Heuheu Tukino descended from the lines of Te Arawa, the primary Iwi in the central North Island. Ngati Tuwharetoa's tribal territory is located in the Lake Taupo water catchment area; Tamaiti Tukino lived at Tokaanu.

This small, jewel-like portrait is presented in it's original kauri frame. Another rendition of this subject, dated 1919 exists. The later work is also painted on a small wood panel, but portrays Tamaiti Tukino in profile. The work offered here is dated 1915 and is in three-quarter profile with detailed facial tattooing.

The finely painted portrait is sensitively and concisely rendered with the sitter's head occupying the majority of the picture plane.

There is also a strong connection between this work and the similarly small and intimate portrait by Goldie of Hera Puna in the Auckland War Memorial Museum collection. Both works were painted during Goldie's 'golden' period, when he was at the height of his technical prowess and imaginative involvement with his subject.