Oil painting of Māori elder expected to bring $3 million at auction
Commentators believe Thoughts of a Tohunga, painted by renowned New Zealand artist Charles Frederick Goldie in 1938, could bring up to $3 million at an auction next month.
This would make it the most expensive oil painting ever sold in New Zealand.
“Goldie’s importance in the history of Maori art cannot be over-stated and this is considered by many to be possibly the finest painting he ever produced. It is quite remarkable and shows a Maori elder with an intricate moko and wearing a large pounamu tiki around his neck.”
Thomson said art critics have called the painting “an artistic tour de force”.
“Goldie is probably the most sought after painters of Maori elders because his art skill and ability, particularly with Maori subjects,” he said. “His works are quite simply unmatched. It is the finest portrait of a Maori elder we have seen in the many years we have been handling Goldie paintings.”
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