Leo Martínez
New Zealand has a unique artistic history, with traditional Māori art often mixed with contemporary and European influences. The country's art scene has produced talented artists in all fields, including painting, sculpture, collage, photography, and more. While there are many famous paintings from New Zealand, this paragraph will introduce three of the most notable ones: Rita Angus' Cass, Michael Smither's Alfred Road Bridge, and Gottfried Lindauer's Māori Portraits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Rita Angus |
| Name of Painting | Cass |
| Year | 1936 |
| Subject | An old railway station against a mountain backdrop with a solitary figure |
| Medium | Watercolour and oil |
| Style | Byzantine art and cubism influences |
| Colours | Clear and appealing |
| Tone | Sharp |
| Composition | Depth beyond the surface of physical and metaphorical meaning |
| Number of Self-Portraits by the Artist | 55 |
| Other Notable Works by the Artist | N/A |
| Other Famous Paintings in New Zealand | "From Mickey to Tiki" by Dick Frizzell, "Alfred Road Bridge" by Michael Smither, "Maheno" by Gordon Walters, "Mother and Child" by Frances Hodgkins, "Hinetitama" by Robyn Kahukiwa, "Black Paintings" by Ralph Hotere |
| Notable Historical Painters in New Zealand | Gottfried Lindauer, William Beetham, Augustus Earle, William Fox, Charles Goldie, Colin McCahon, George Edmund Butler, Frances Hodgkins, C.F. Goldie, Joseph Banks, Sydney Parkinson, William Hodges, John Webber, James Barry, Thomas Kendall, Gordon Walters, Michael Parekowhai, Yvonne Todd, Francis Upritchard |
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What You'll Learn
Rita Angus' Cass
The most famous painting in New Zealand, as voted by New Zealanders in 2006, is "Cass" by Rita Angus. Angus was a New Zealand artist who painted the work in 1936. The painting depicts the railway station at the small mountain settlement of Cass in the Canterbury high country. It has been described as "one of the defining works of the 1930s and indeed of New Zealand art history."
The painting showcases a solitary figure waiting at the station, with a majestic mountain backdrop. The station itself is a simple two-room building constructed in 1911 with weatherboard sides and a corrugated iron roof. Angus' work captures the hard-edged clarity of the Canterbury school of landscape painting, with sweeping clouds, rumpled hills, and sharp-edged brightness. The work also conveys a sense of expectation as the viewer waits with the solitary figure for the train to arrive.
Angus created "Cass" following a ten-day sketching trip to Cass with artist friends Louise Henderson and Julia Scarvell. During this time, she completed several works in oil and watercolour, capturing her attention to human presence within the sweeping landscape. Other finished works from this visit include a derelict musterer's hut and the Canterbury College Mountain Biological Station with a passing steam engine.
"Cass" was first exhibited at the Canterbury Society of Arts exhibition in March 1937, along with two other works by Angus, but it did not sell. However, the painting was later chosen for the 1940 National Centennial Exhibition of New Zealand Art. Today, "Cass" is recognised as a symbol of New Zealand's artistic development and continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide.
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Gordon Walters' Maheno
Gordon Frederick Walters, born in 1919 in Wellington, New Zealand, was an artist and graphic designer. Walters' work is significant to New Zealand culture due to his representation of the country in his Modern Abstract artworks. In 1946, Walters travelled to Australia and then visited photographer and painter Theo Schoon in South Canterbury, who was photographing Māori rock art at the Ōpihi River. This visit was central to Walters' work as he began using Māori cultural themes in his paintings. Walters' best-known work, Maheno, was painted in 1981 and is part of his ongoing koru series. The painting pays homage to the traditional Māori moko, incorporating the iconic koru motif. Koru is a Māori word that describes the growing tip of a fern frond and is one of the primary motifs of Māori art, particularly wood carving, and symbolises creation, life, and new growth. Through a harmonious blend of abstract forms and cultural symbolism, Walters captures the essence of New Zealand's indigenous art traditions while adding his unique artistic perspective.
Walters' first major exhibition of koru-based paintings was in 1965 at the New Vision Gallery in Auckland. He had three exhibitions in 1941, 1944, and 1947 at the French Maid Coffee House in Wellington, for which he also designed the café's menu in 1947. Walters also had an exhibition in 1949 at the Wellington Public Library, a rare venue for serious artists at the time. In 1983, Walters had a retrospective exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery, and in 1994, the gallery exhibited his works again in a show titled "Parallel Lines: Gordon Walters in Context".
Walters' paintings were created through a unique process that involved filling the canvas with alternating light and dark bars and then adding the round koru forms, which resulted in images with a reasonable likeness to his style. In 1964, Walters created his first large-scale koru painting, titled "Te Whiti-o-Rongomai" after the Māori spiritual leader. This painting may also reference Te Whiti Street in Kilbirnie, Wellington, where Walters lived as a child. Walters' works are often screen prints or painted directly on the canvas, and he is known for his steady hand.
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Michael Smither's Alfred Road Bridge
Michael Smither's "Alfred Road Bridge" is a captivating painting that holds a special place in the hearts of many art enthusiasts in New Zealand and beyond. Admired for its beauty and technical skill, the painting resonates with those familiar with Smither's distinctive style. The artist's ability to evoke emotion and create lasting impressions is exemplified in this work, which has become a beloved part of New Zealand's artistic landscape.
While the painting "Alfred Road Bridge" by Michael Smither is not to be confused with the Alfred H. Smith Memorial Bridge, a railroad bridge in New York, it is no less iconic in its own right. Smither's artwork showcases his mastery of his craft and has inspired other artists, including the writer of the blog post who met Smither during an artist's talk in Hamilton. The painting's impact underscores Smither's significant contribution to New Zealand's evolving creative identity.
New Zealand's artistic history is relatively young, yet it boasts a wealth of artistic talent. The country's artists are making their mark on the global art scene, with their unique perspectives and rich narratives captivating audiences worldwide. Among these talents, Michael Smither stands out for his ability to create enduring artworks that leave an indelible impression on those who experience them.
"Alfred Road Bridge" is a testament to Smither's artistic prowess and his ability to evoke emotion and a sense of nostalgia. The painting's beauty and technical skill showcase Smither's talent in blending composition and subject matter to create a lasting impact. This artwork is a cherished part of New Zealand's cultural heritage and a source of inspiration for future generations of artists.
While the specific details of the painting's composition and style may vary in their interpretation by different viewers, the overall sentiment towards "Alfred Road Bridge" remains one of admiration and appreciation. Smither's artwork has earned its place among the most famous paintings in New Zealand, reflecting the country's diverse and evolving artistic landscape.
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Gottfried Lindauer's Māori portraits
The Māori Portraits by Gottfried Lindauer (1839–1926) is a series of paintings depicting the leading Māori protagonists of nineteenth-century New Zealand. Lindauer, a Bohemian-born immigrant artist, created the largest number of Māori portraits in existence. His works are considered powerful embodiments of Māori ancestors, capturing the complex intercultural exchanges occurring during a time of great political, cultural, and social change.
Lindauer's portraits of eminent Māori were prominently displayed in private homes, marae (meeting houses), and tangihanga (funerals). These images are seen as representations of ancestors containing mana (prestige). The individuals portrayed in Lindauer's works were often Māori leaders and chiefs who played significant roles during the New Zealand land wars and the colonial settlement period. Many of them signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) in 1840, shaping the colonial, political, diplomatic, and military landscape of emerging New Zealand.
Lindauer gained popularity for his lifelike portraits and became the best-known painter of Māori subjects. He attracted clients through local newspaper advertisements and by displaying his work in shop windows. He also had notable patrons, such as Henry Partridge, a businessman who established a gallery for Lindauer's work, and Walter Buller, a lawyer who promoted the artist's work through personal introductions.
Photography played an integral role in Lindauer's artistic process. He often worked from studio photographs, in addition to painting from life. Lindauer collected cartes de visite, a popular and inexpensive photographic format, and created his own in his studio. He also painted over photographs on board, creating "bromide" paintings, referencing the silver bromide in photographic prints.
Lindauer's Māori portraits circulated internationally, contributing to a growing market for ethnographic photographs. His works accurately recorded the facial tattoos, clothing, ornaments, and weapons of his subjects, providing a unique insight into the cultural practices of the time. Today, Lindauer's portraits of Māori leaders and chiefs are highly valued, with some paintings fetching significant prices at auctions.
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Dick Frizzell's From Mickey to Tiki
Dick Frizzell, a senior artist born in Auckland, New Zealand, is the creator behind the iconic artwork "From Mickey to Tiki". Frizzell is a beloved and well-recognised figure in New Zealand's art scene, known for his inventive subject matter and styles, seamlessly blending pop culture references with indigenous influences.
"From Mickey to Tiki", also known as "Mickey to Tiki Tu Meke", is a clever and whimsical piece. It showcases the transformation of the familiar Disney character, Mickey Mouse, into a traditional Māori tiki. Frizzell's unique artistic style challenges the viewer to question the labels and ideas associated with high and low art, cultural icons, and comic characters. The artwork is characterised by its humourous undertones and aesthetic appeal, making it a delight for art enthusiasts in New Zealand and beyond.
Frizzell's body of work encompasses a diverse range of themes and mediums. He has created large New Zealand landscapes, comic-like prints, paintings of roadside Kiwi handwritten signs, and still lifes. Frizzell's work often incorporates cultural signifiers with a touch of humour. Before pursuing art full-time, Frizzell worked in advertising, developing a skill for transforming everyday items into captivating images. This influence carried over into his artistic career, with "From Mickey to Tiki" being a prime example of his ability to blend pop culture with indigenous culture.
Frizzell's artistic prowess extends beyond painting to include printmaking, screen printing, and lithography. He studied fine arts at the University of Canterbury and later taught the subject at Elam Arts School in Auckland. In 1997, he held a retrospective exhibition titled "Dick Frizzell: Portrait of a Serious Artiste", which toured major national institutions. Frizzell's works, including "From Mickey to Tiki", have been reproduced as art prints, making his iconic imagery accessible to art lovers for display in their homes, museums, and galleries.
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Frequently asked questions
While there may not be one definitive answer to this question, here are some of New Zealand's most famous paintings and the artists behind them:
- "Cass" by Rita Angus, voted the most famous artwork in New Zealand in 2006.
- "Mother and Child" by Frances Hodgkins, a mesmerising portrait celebrating the bond between a mother and child.
- "Alfred Road Bridge" by Michael Smither, admired for its beauty and technical skill.
- "From Mickey to Tiki" by Dick Frizzell, a whimsical and thought-provoking piece that blends pop culture with indigenous influences.
New Zealand has a rich artistic history that includes traditional Māori art and contemporary influences. Some notable New Zealand artists include:
- Colin McCahon, considered by some to be the country's greatest painter.
- Gottfried Lindauer, a Bohemian-born immigrant artist known for his lifelike portraits of Māori people.
- Ralph Hotere, known for using unusual materials and tools in the 1970s, such as power tools on corrugated iron and steel.
- Gordon Walters, who created paintings and prints based on the koru, a traditional Māori motif.
New Zealand art is known for its unique blend of traditional Māori art, contemporary influences, and European techniques. Landscape art has been a popular subject for many New Zealand artists, often depicting the country's beautiful scenery. Additionally, the use of Māori motifs, such as the koru, and the incorporation of Māori cultural symbolism are distinctive features of New Zealand art.
