Early European painting in New Zealand was dominated by landscapes and images of exotic Māori. From the 1890s the local art scene was boosted by the arrival of professional painters from Europe. But it wasn't until the 1930s and 40s that a distinct style of painting began to emerge here.
In the 1930s and 1940s a distinctly New Zealand style of painting began to emerge - regionalism that is characterised by a preoccupation with place and local identity.
The revolutions in early 20th century European art took a long time to influence New Zealand painting. Cubism, for example, took four decades to be accepted here.
In this painting by George Angus, Tamihana Te Rauparaha, in London in 1852, is shown in a formal English suit. Tamihana Te Rauparaha, also known as Katu, was the son of the great Ngati Toa leader Te Rauparaha and his fifth and senior wife, Te Akau of Tuhourangi.
Painters and photographers loved to capture the beauty of Parliament's buildings in postcards, and New Zealanders and visitors sent these to friends and family in new Zealand and overseas.
Between 1960 and 1980 a strong resurgence of Maori nationalism and culture developed alongside a growing political voice and demand for the honouring of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Families seated on their luggage awaiting embarkation (either to Australia or New Zealand) at the wharfside. 'Embarking for the land of gold in hope. Taking leave of old England'.
Soldiers of the Queen typifies the artwork of the high age of late Victorian Empire. In New Zealand, too, there was increased interest in pageantry, uniforms, statues and ceremony
