1896
oil
canvas
From the collection of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Portrait of a young Maori woman with moko is a 1896 oil by Louis John Steele, a Post-Impressionism work, held at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
This painting shows a young Maori woman with a moko, a traditional Maori facial tattoo. She has long, dark hair and is wearing a white and black garment. A red flower is tucked behind her ear. The woman's facial features are rendered in detail, with a subtle expression. Her eyes are cast downward, and her lips are slightly parted. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation. If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this work, you might want to look up Louis John Steele.
Louis John Steele (30 January 1842 – 12 December 1918) was an English-born New Zealand artist and engraver. He was born in Reigate, Surrey.
See the richer artist page
