An oil painting of Ngāti Manawa Tohunga Wharekauri Tahuna became the most valuable Māori portrait in New Zealand art history after an auction on Tuesday evening.
“Thoughts of a tohunga” painted by artist Charles Frederick Goldie was painted in 1938 and sold for more than $3,757,000.
It was the highest auction price for any Goldie in New Zealand art history.
The painting was done 9 years before Goldie’s passing and some believe it was his last.
It was thought it could bring a floor price of up to $3.5 million, but the final result made it one of the most prized Goldie paintings sold at auction in New Zealand.
International Art Centre Director Richard Thompson there was significant interest in the painting before the auction began.
The Goldie painting was the first in New Zealand to sell for more than $3 million.
“In 2016 we sold a Goldie for $1,175,000 which was the first Goldie to sell for more than $1 million. Since then we have sold 15 Goldies for more than $1 million.”
Bidding began at $2 million and there were 16 bids, some by telephone, some on the internet and some by bidders at the gallery.
He said it was one of the finest portraits Goldie painted and his importance in the history of Māori art could not be overstated. His artistic skill and talent, particularly with Māori elder subjects, were not matched by any other artist.
Photo Credit: RNZ
