Provenance: John Leech Gallery, Auckland - original label affixed verso Austin Family, NSW since 1950 Thence by descent Elizabeth Austin, Sydney, NSW

Te Aitu Te Irikau 1831 - 1914 was a high ranking Arawa Chieftainess from the Bay of Plenty town of Maketu. The historic fall of Te Tumu Pa in May, 1836 took place during her childhood. Te Aitu Te Irikau travelled to Auckland to sit for Charles F Goldie. He painted her at least seven times from 1911 - 1922. For two of these works dated 1916 he chose the title Memories whilst a 1918 work was titled A Woman of High Lineage.

This fine example was recently repatriated after many years in NSW, Australia.

Ref: C F Goldie: His Life & Painting and C F Goldie: Prints, Drawings & Criticism, Alister Taylor & Jan Glen, 1979