A painting by one of New Zealand’s most highly-regarded artists has fetched over half a million dollars at auction.
The painting, Memories Rakapa, by Charles F Goldie, which depicts an elderly, yet unknown Māori wahine sold for $450,000 at a Parnell auction house on Wednesday evening. But with the GST and commission added on top that rises to $540,000.
Auctioneers had speculated it would sell for between $500,000 and $600,000.
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Charles Goldie painting expected to fetch close to $600,000 at auction.
The work was painted in 1910 and has been in a private collection since 1927, when it was bought for £262.10.
Goldie is one of New Zealand’s most highly-regarded and sought after painters.
Earlier this year, one of his paintings, Te Hau-Takiru Wharepapa, sold for a record price of $1.88 million.
Richard Thomson, who conducted the auction at the International Art Centre, said Goldie’s work was revered, with few who could match his artistic skill.
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“He can bring out the emotion and the personality of his subjects like no other artist and that is recognised by his many fans who cannot get enough,” Thomson said.
“Every time a Goldie work becomes available for sale, it is extremely well received and popular.”
Goldie died in 1947 and was considered an iconic painter in New Zealand art history.
