Two Goldies go to auction

Mossgreen-Webb’s
Important Paintings & Contemporary Art
April 11

Next week Mossgreen-Webb's will be offering two works by Charles Frederick Goldie for auction on one night. Ka Pai Te Kai Paipa, Portrait of Te Hei (1941) has an estimate of $500,000-700,00 and an earlier work Ke ra ta wera or A Hot Day (1919) has an estimate of $280,000-380,000. Recent sales of the artist’s work would indicate that these are realistic prices. In November last year two Goldies sold at The International Arts Centre – Tamati Tukino for $250,000 and Memories – An Arawa Chiefteness for $265,000. They may not reach the heady prices of the important portrait of Wharekauri Tahuna which also sold last year for $1.175 million.

Mossgreen-Webb’s considers the two works exceptional for several reasons. The subjects are depicted within intricately defined, carved architectural settings. In one, the subject is joyful, enlightened and directly engaged with the viewer and in the other the subject is peaceful and tranquil – neither are sorrowful depictions of a ‘dying race’ as is so often the case.

The provenance of both the works is also important. Ka Pai Te Kai Paipa, Portrait of Te Hei (1941) which is significantly larger than usual scale was formerly in the collection of Major Charles Passmore, a New Zealander with a distinguished World War II military record. Major Passmore’s wife was Scottish and their time was divided between New Zealand and Scotland. They moved to Scotland permanently in the 1970s and the work could have left New Zealand anytime between the end of the war and the 1970s.

The sitter, Te Hei is a subject Goldie painted a number of times. Unlike many of Goldie’s portraits, where he chose to portray his subjects deep in melancholic meditation or with eyes sorrowfully downcast, this painting depicts Te Hei joyously, holding the gaze of the viewer whilst she smokes from a pipe.

The second painting by Goldie also offers a link to our past. Ke ra ta wera or A Hot Day (1919), was acquired directly from the artist by Frederick and Olive Wilson, the present owners’ grandparents and passed by descent. The present owners’ aunt Jean Wilson was married to ‘Tup’ Goldie, the artist’s nephew. Charles Goldie was friendly with the Wilson family and it is believed that this work was gifted to the present owners’ grandmother, Olive Wilson. Upon Olive’s death in 1961, the work passed by descent to the present owners. This auction will be the first time this important work will be seen in public. The composition, showing a young boy, without Moko, resting, illustrates Goldie’s talent for artistic mastery in his depiction of Māori with the feeling of peace and tranquility with the subject bathed in warm light and set against a traditional Maori carved Po is unlike most of his paintings

Sophie Coupland, head of art at Mossgreen-Webb's said that “this work was difficult to value as it is not a typical head and shoulders portrait and it has such charm and appeal, it will without doubt attract much interest from collectors."

VIEWING

Friday April 7, 9.00am – 5.30pm

Saturday April 8, 11.00am – 3pm

Sunday April 9, 11.00am – 3pm

Monday April 10, 9.00am – 5.30pm

Tuesday April 11, 9.00am – 12.30pm