gustavus von tempsky

Watercolour, Encampment of Chute’s forces near Putahi pa, on the Whenuakura River, by Gustavus von Tempsky.

In late 1865 the new commander of the British army in New Zealand, Major-General Trevor Chute, embarked upon what amounted to a ‘scorched earth’ policy in south Taranaki. The artist, von Tempsky, is seated by the cartwheel; standing behind him is the superintendent of Wellington province, Dr Isaac Featherston. To the right is the British and colonial camp; Te Pūtahi pā, which this force attacked, is on high ground across the river.

Kennett Watkins’ romanticised painting of the death of Gustavus von Tempsky during a battle against Tītokowaru at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, 1868.

Aged only 40 when he died, von Tempsky had in the previous six years earned a reputation as ‘one of the most colourful characters of nineteenth century New Zealand’. An adventurer, writer and soldier, he was also an able watercolour artist who captured many scenes of the New Zealand Wars.

The Prussian soldier of fortune Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky was killed during an assault on Tītokowaru’s south Taranaki pā. His exploits during the tumultuous 1860s had made him a folk hero for many settlers.

Aged only 40 when he died, von Tempsky had in the previous six years earned a reputation as ‘one of the most colourful characters of nineteenth century New Zealand’. An adventurer, writer and soldier, he was also an able watercolour artist who captured many scenes of the New Zealand Wars.