Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Charles Frederick Goldie died in 1947; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2017.
In context
A Study — Charles Frederick Goldie
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 77 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Charles Frederick Goldie (1870–1947) every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1903 Main working years: 1903–1933 Late works: from 1933
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/charles-frederick-goldie-a-study-8BWNNF-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #5a4d1f
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 99.5% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 73 works by this artist, of which 20 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 12 of them, with 3.1% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Auckland, New Zealand
Born: Auckland, New Zealand (October 20, 1870)
Died: 1947
Family Background: Charles Frederick Goldie was born into a prominent Aucklander family. His maternal grandfather, Charles Frederick Partington, built the iconic Auckland Windmill. His father, David Goldie, was a successful timber merchant and politician who served as Mayor of Auckland.
Early Education & Artistic Talent: He attended Auckland Grammar School where he demonstrated exceptional artistic ability, winning prizes from the Auckland Society of Arts and the New Zealand Art Students' Association.
Formal Training: Goldie studied under Louis John Steele in Auckland before traveling to Paris to attend the Académie Julian, a prestigious art school that honed his drawing and painting skills.
Return to New Zealand & The French Academy of Art: Upon returning to New Zealand in 1898, Goldie established "The French Academy of Art" with Louis J. Steele.
Early Collaboration: A notable early work was a collaborative piece with Steele, “The Arrival of the Māori in New Zealand,” inspired by Théodore Géricault’s “The Raft of the Medusa.” This garnered significant attention and launched Goldie's career.
Focus on Māori Portraits: Goldie became renowned for his portraits of Māori dignitaries, particularly elderly, tattooed individuals of high standing within their communities. He aimed to preserve Māori heritage through his art.
Notable Works:
Thoughts of a Tohunga Wharekauri Tahuna (1938) – A striking portrait showcasing rich detail and cultural significance.
Reverie (1932) – An emotive oil painting depicting a Māori woman with a pounamu pendant.
Anaha Te Rahui, the Celebrated Carver of Rotorua – Captures a Māori elder in stunning realism, highlighting intricate carvings and textures.
Male Torso. Julian's Academy, Paris - A 19th-century portrait showcasing realistic style.
Recognition: Goldie received the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to art.
Academic Training: His training at the Académie Julian significantly influenced his style, emphasizing realistic representation and meticulous detail.
Géricault's Influence: The early collaborative work with Steele demonstrates an influence from Théodore Géricault’s dramatic compositions and focus on human emotion.
Realism & Portraiture: Goldie’s artistic style is characterized by realism, particularly in his portraits. He meticulously captured the details of Māori facial tattoos (Tā moko) and traditional adornments.
Respect for Māori Culture: His work reflects a deep respect for Māori culture and traditions, aiming to document and preserve aspects of their heritage through portraiture.
Health Decline: Goldie’s health deteriorated due to lead poisoning from his painting materials, leading to a decrease in his artistic output.
Retirement & Death: He stopped painting in 1941 and passed away on July 11, 1947, at the age of 77.
Enduring Legacy: Charles Frederick Goldie’s legacy endures as a testament to his dedication to preserving Māori culture through art. His works are celebrated for their realism, cultural significance, and contribution to New Zealand's artistic heritage.
Current Recognition: His paintings can be found in collections such as the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
George Taubman Goldie: It is important to note that Charles Frederick Goldie was not related to Sir George Dashwood Taubman Goldie, a prominent figure in Nigerian history and colonial administration. While sharing the same surname, they were distinct individuals with separate legacies.
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Look closely
A Study — Charles Frederick Goldie
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"A Study" is available as a high-resolution digital image download, purchased directly on its Digital Image page.
The subjects of "A Study" are portraits, study.
Charles Frederick Goldie is also known as C.F. Goldie.