[Merrett, Joseph Jenner], 1815-1854 :[The Hobson album]. Rangi Kawauw [1842 or 1843]

Seated three-quarter length portrait of a young woman, Rangitetaea Koa, the wife of the artist. She has short curly hair and moko around her mouth and is wearing a white gown, gathered at the neck and wrists, and a korowai-ngore (pom pom cloak). She is holding a book or letter in her hands and has a sharkskin ear ornament

There are two related pencil drawings held in the British Library, one, showing the same pose as the Turnbull's watercolour, the other a frontal seated portrait with her holding the couple's first child, Ani Gage, and wearing the same long gathered robe seen in the Turnbull's watercolour. The references are Add. MS 19953 f.65, pl. 185 and f. 69, pl. 197. There is also a a watercolour in the British Library, a standing portrait, with inscription 'Rangitetahi, a young woman of Ngati Koura' signed J. Merrett', 1845.

The reverse has the title Rangi Kawauw and the first four verses of a poem to Rangi Koa by her husband, Merrett. The remaining three verses are on the back of Merrett's drawing of A hot lake at Rotomahana (A-275-003-1)

Other Titles - Rangitetaea Koa

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Pencil & watercolour on cream wove paper, 171 x 129 mm

Provenance: Part of Mrs Hobson's album. The album was passed by Eliza Hobson to her daughter, Eliza, Lady Rendel.