Charles Frederick Goldie

 
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About Charles Frederick Goldie

Charles Frederick Goldie 1870 - 1947

Charles Frederick Goldie is New Zealand's most celebrated artist. Born in Auckland, Goldie showed artistic talent from a early age and on leaving school studied under Louis John Steele. Governor Sir George Grey was much impressed by two still life paintings by the young Goldie and encouraged his father to send the 22 year old to the Academy Julian, Paris. Goldie lived and studied in Paris for four years receiving a thorough academic training. By 1898 Goldie had returned to Auckland and established a studio with his former teacher Steel. It was here that the collaboration on the large, dramatic work which hangs in Auckland Art Gallery, The Arrival of the Maoris in New Zealand took place.

Goldie was a great friend of the Maori people, he spoke their language and immortalised their leaders. Following his visits to Rotorua between 1901 and 1906, models often sat for Goldie in his Auckland studio. Today these portraits, of what was then considered a dying race, hold a paramount position in the history of New Zealand Art. In the 1920s Goldie faced ill health and criticism of his work. It is thought that he suffered from lead poisoning. In 1934 encouraged by Lord Bledisloe he exhibited with the Royal Academy, London and the Paris Salon. Acknowledgments included the award of King George V's Silver Jubilee Medal and an OBE in 1935. Goldie died in 1947. In 1997 Roger Blackley curated a major Goldie retrospective at Auckland City Art Gallery. At auction quality works by C F Goldie achieve record prices.