Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. paulus van der velden died in 1913; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1983.
In context
Dr Gray Hassell — paulus van der velden
Shaded: the lifetime of paulus van der velden (1837–1913) ▲ this work, 1906
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #483924
Catalogued palette
About this artwork
Dr Gray Hassell — paulus van der velden
Text originally created for Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand exhibition at Te Papa, March 2018. A husband and wife portrait – minus the wife. Look closely, and you’ll notice a touch of lace in the painting’s bottom right corner. That’s all that remains of Dr Gray Hassell’s first wife, Eliza, who died in 1926. Apparently, his second wife, Brownie Goddard, had her predecessor literally cut out of the picture. Dr Hassell was born in Ōamaru, and trained as a doctor in Scotland. He spent most of his working career in charge of Porirua’s mental hospital. He kōwaiwai kiritangata o te tāne me tana wahine – heoi, ngaro ana te wahine. Āta tirohia te kōwaiwai nei, kei te kokonga o raro ki te taha matau tētahi kōtui paku nei. Koinā noa iho te toenga o Eliza, te wahine tuatahi a Dr Gray Hassel, i mate i te tau 1926. E ai ki ngā kōrero, nā tana wahine tuarua, nā Brownie Goddarn te wahine tuatahi i ‘tapahia atu’ i te kōwaiwai. I whānau mai a Dr Hassell ki Ōamaru, ā, i whakangungua hei tākuta ki Kōtimana. Ko ia te kaiwhakahaere o te hōhipera mate hinengaro ki Porirua mō te roanga o tana oranga.
Artist and museum
Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands
paulus van der velden, a dutch artist, was born on may 5, 1837, in rotterdam, netherlands. his parents were jacoba van essel and joannes van der velden, a warehouse manager. from a young age, petrus (also known as paulus) began drawing lessons, later enrolling at the rotterdam academy of fine arts and applied arts. he furthered his artistic training by traveling to germany, france, and italy.
van der velden's early work focused on marine studies, a quintessential dutch genre. as seen in snow on the sand dunes, one of his few finished paintings from this period, his style was already showing signs of evolution towards more expressive works. in 1890, van der velden emigrated to new zealand with his family, where he continued to paint, often focusing on landscapes and harbor scenes. his work sketch of a sailing ship no. 1, now part of the te papa collection in wellington, showcases his skill in capturing the essence of maritime life.
- **snow on the sand dunes (te papa, wellington, new zealand)**: a small, yet powerful study of sand dunes, showcasing van der velden's expressive use of paint. - *sketch of a sailing ship no. 1 (te papa, wellington, new zealand)*: demonstrates his ability to capture the beauty of maritime scenes.
- the museum mauritshuis (netherlands): while not specifically featuring van der velden's work, it is a significant dutch art museum that showcases the country's rich artistic heritage. - rijksdienst beeldende kunst (the hague, netherlands): another notable dutch museum, its collection reflects the breadth of dutch art, including works from the golden age.
view van der velden's artworks on AllPaintingsStore.com
explore more about dutch art and museums at museum boijmans van beuningen
learn about other artists like kaleb de groot on AllPaintingsStore.com
*conclusion:* paulus van der velden's artistic journey, from his early marine studies to his later landscapes in new zealand, showcases a unique blend of dutch tradition and personal expression. his legacy continues to inspire through the works preserved at te papa and other collections.
On show in Wellington, New Zealand
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa stands as a singular testament to a nation's cultural heritage and artistic evolution, acting as a luminous beacon that illuminates the past, present, and future of Aotearoa. Situated prominently on Wellington’s vibrant waterfront, the museum’s genesis is rooted in an ambitious vision of unity, born from the 1934 merger of the Dominion Museum and the National Art Gallery. This union was driven by a profound desire to forge a cohesive national identity through the dual lenses of art and science. Today, Te Papa is far more than a repository for relics; it is a dynamic cultural destination that welcomes over a million visitors annually, offering a space where history is not merely observed behind glass but actively experienced through immersive storytelling.
The architecture of the museum itself serves as a profound dialogue with the natural world. Designed by Jasmax Architects, the structure rises organically from the reclaimed lands of Wellington Harbour, its form mirroring the dramatic geological formations found throughout New Zealand’s landscapes. This design choice is a deliberate echo of Māori oral traditions and a deep reverence for
Papatūānuku
, or Mother Earth. As one moves through the expansive galleries, the spatial journey subtly incorporates Māori cultural motifs, utilizing light and shadow to evoke the sacred atmosphere of a
wharenui
—a traditional meeting house. For the art lover and the designer alike, the building offers an immersive environment where the boundary between the interior sanctuary and the external natural world begins to dissolve.
At the very heart of Te Papa’s collection lies the
Taonga Māori
, a collection of treasured artifacts that represent the spiritual beliefs and artistic mastery of New Zealand’s indigenous people. These works are not merely objects of beauty but living legacies that carry
mana
—spiritual power. From the intricate, rhythmic patterns of carved wooden sculptures to the delicate, disciplined precision of woven flax baskets, each piece offers an unparalleled window into Māori cosmology and the concept of
whakapapa
, or genealogy. To stand before these treasures is to witness a profound connection to ancestral lands and a continuity of culture that remains vibrantly alive.
While deeply rooted in tradition, Te Papa also serves as a bold stage for contemporary innovation. The museum champions the avant-garde, housing a dynamic range of works that span painting, sculpture, installation art, and digital media. This commitment to the new is perhaps most poignantly realized in exhibitions such as “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War,” which utilizes life-sized figures and immersive environments to humanize the harrowing realities of conflict. By blending historical gravity with modern technological engagement, Te Papa ensures that its narratives resonate on a deeply personal level. For collectors and enthusiasts, the museum represents a unique intersection where the ancient weight of tradition meets the limitless possibilities of contemporary expression, making it an essential pilgrimage for anyone seeking to understand the evolving identity of New Zealand.
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Look closely
Dr Gray Hassell — paulus van der velden
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