Gottfried Lindauer

Huria Matenga Ngarongoa (Julia Martin)

Huria Matenga Ngarongoa (Julia Martin) by Gottfried Lindauer

Artwork Detail

On the morning of 4 December 1863, the brigantine Delaware was wrecked on the rocks at Whakapuaka, near Nelson. Together with two male companions, Huria Matenga Ngaronoa swam out through thunderous seas and succeeded in securing a rope to the ship. When the line broke Huria again swam out to the ship, thereby earning her reputation as a beloved heroine and the 'Grace Darling' of New Zealand. Wearing a korowai of native bird feathers of the kaka; the blue-black feathers of the tui, and the white breast feathers from the kereru, Huria gathers her ancestors’ heart-song around her.

Title
Huria Matenga Ngarongoa (Julia Martin)
Artist/creator
Gottfried Lindauer
Production date
1874
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
825 x 710 x 70 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Mr H E Partridge, 1915
Accession no
1915/2/15
Copyright
Copying restrictions apply
Department
New Zealand Art
Display status
Not on display

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