painting

History of New Zealand painting

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  Early European painting in New Zealand was dominated by landscapes and images of exotic Māori. From the 1890s the local art scene was boosted by the arrival of professional painters from Europe. But it wasn't until the 1930s and 40s that a distinct style of painting began to emerge here.

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• Page 2 – Beginnings

  While the first New Zealand artists often had scenic interests, they were also influenced by art historical practices and beliefs.

• Page 3 – Influence of European modernism

  1890–1900 Wellington Harbour, James Nairn The last decade of the 19th century was highly significant for the development of the visual arts in New Zealand.

• Page 4 – A new New Zealand art

  In the 1930s and 1940s a distinctly New Zealand style of painting began to emerge - regionalism that is characterised by a preoccupation with place and local identity.

• Page 5 – Expressionism and abstraction

  The revolutions in early 20th century European art took a long time to influence New Zealand painting. Cubism, for example, took four decades to be accepted here.

• Page 6 – Contemporary Māori art

  Between 1960 and 1980 a strong resurgence of Maori nationalism and culture developed alongside a growing political voice and demand for the honouring of the Treaty of Waitangi

• Page 7 – Further information

  Links and books relating to New Zealand art history

Parliament's culture and traditions

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  Explore Parliament's rich history and its colourful culture and traditions.

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• Page 3 - Parliament in postcardsPainters and photographers loved to capture the beauty of Parliament's buildings in postcards, and New Zealanders and visitors sent these to friends and family in new Zealand and