Tamati Waka Nene
1890
Gottfried Lindauer captured the fierce dignity of Māori chief Tamati Waka Nene in this striking 1890 portrait, showcasing the intricate *ta moko* (facial tattoos) that signified his high rank and lineage. Dressed in a traditional woven cloak and gripping a *taiaha* (a long-handled weapon) adorned with feathers, Nene stares out with a calm, commanding presence against a moody sky. Lindauer, a Czech-born artist who became famous in New Zealand for documenting Māori leaders, painted this after Nene had already played a pivotal role in the New Zealand Wars, eventually becoming a friend to the very British forces he once fought. It’s a powerful snapshot of a leader who navigated a turbulent era of colonization with grace and strength.
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