Maori Portraits: Exploring the Cultural Richness of New Zealand's People, c.1836
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1836
Sheet size
34.2 × 25.2 cm (13.5 × 9.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14025-18, -19
Condition
Condition Report: Light toning and minor foxing visible in the margins, consistent with the age of the lithographs. The image areas are clean and sharp, retaining excellent contrast and detail. Slight edge wear, but overall in very good condition.
About this sheet
This compiled image features detailed lithographic portraits of Indigenous Maori people from New Zealand, created during Dumont d'Urville's expedition aboard the Astrolabe. The portraits highlight traditional Maori clothing, hairstyles, and intricate facial tattoos (moko), reflecting the cultural richness of the Maori people. Each subject is depicted with expressive detail, showcasing a variety of profiles and facial expressions that emphasize individuality and identity.
The first panel includes figures adorned with feathered cloaks and earrings, while the second panel portrays individuals with more elaborate facial tattoos and gestures, adding an element of interaction. The final row captures both men and women, emphasizing the diversity within the Maori community. These illustrations, created by Louis Auguste de Sainson and later reproduced in Brodtmann’s Entdeckungs, Reise der Franzosischen Corvette Astrolabe, are significant ethnographic records of early European encounters with Maori culture.
Condition Report: Light toning and minor foxing visible in the margins, consistent with the age of the lithographs. The image areas are clean and sharp, retaining excellent contrast and detail. Slight edge wear, but overall in very good condition.
Keywords: Maori portraits, New Zealand, Dumont d'Urville, Astrolabe expedition, Maori moko, Louis Auguste de Sainson, Brodtmann lithographs, 19th-century ethnography, Maori clothing, indigenous culture, traditional tattoos, New Zealand history.
