Portrait of Taihuri, a Chieftainess of the Waikato Tribe
Maker
Harry Linley Richardson
Production date
1910
Description
This oil painting is a portrait of Waikato chieftainess Taihuri Te Uaki. Te Uaki was the wife of Horonuku Te Heuheu IV and was a significant figure in Waikato. Richardson has included a number of objects in this painting which symbolise particular associations relevant to Te Uaki, including a feather cloak of kereru feathers to represent her lineage, a large Totara tree symbolic of her mana, and a pataka or storehouse which suggests important tribal associations.
Harry Linley Richardson (1878–1947) was born and raised in England. Following study at Goldsmith’s School of Art he had a steady career as a painter and illustrator before his love of teaching led him to New Zealand in 1908. He taught at Wellington Technical College until 1928 when he moved to Palmerston North to run the art school where he was to live for the rest of his life. Richardson had a considerable impact on many of his students over the years including Len Lye who went on to become one of New Zealand’s most respected artists internationally.
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Object detail
600 x 500mm (image)
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