Original label in artist's hand affixed verso reads: Kapi Kapi. A Survivor of the Tawarewa Eruption, Age 102 years

Original John Leech Carver & Gilder label affixed verso

Provenance: Private Collection, Auckland

Ahinata Te Rangituatini, also known as Kapi Kapi, of Rotorua (c.1800-1902) was one of Goldie's favourite sitters and he painted her at least 22 times. She was an Arawa Chieftainess, a member of the Tuhourangi tribe living at Whakarewarewa. She was the sister of the Arawa chief Haerehuka. Kapi Kapi survived the 1886 Tarawera Eruption and witnessed the assault of Pukeroa Pa at Ohinemutu. On her shoulders were scars of wounds self-inflicted with pieces of obsidian as a sign of mourning. According to the historian and friend of Goldie, James Cowan, Kapi Kapi worked to the end of her long life, evidence, in his opinion, that the 'old-time Maori' were 'truly a Spartan race'. Kapi Kapi was renowned for her moko, which Goldie depicted in fine detail. According to Cowan, she was the only Maori woman painted by Goldie who had a rare spiral nostril tattoo. She died at the age of 102 after falling into a hot pool, it is said deliberately as was the custom among some of the aged Maori.

"In Polynesian portraiture Mr C F Goldie stands pre-eminent in the world today, and New Zealand has every reason to be proud of him" - Governor General Lord Bledisloe

Reference with assistance from C F Goldie: His Life & Painting and C F Goldie: Prints, Drawings & Criticism, Alister Taylor & Jan Glen, 1979