Chevalier, Nicholas, 1828-1902: [Duvauchelle Bay, Akaroa]

A scene depicting Akaroa Harbour, with the Port Hillls in the distance. Various boats sail in the harbour, and there is a large boat being built at the water's edge. In the foreground are seven people, Maori and Pakeha; a man in the middle of the group is dressing a log of wood, possibly for the boat being made further along the waterfront. Not far out into the water, a flock of birds react to a school of fish near the surface.

Entitled in International Art Centre catalogue 'View of Akaroa', p.93

This painting of Akaroa was likely to have been painted after Chevalier left New Zealand. William Mathew Hodgkins's sketchbook (E-033-4) contains a sketch on p.36 of this scene, identified with the annotation 'This was done by N. Chevalier', undated but thought to be April 1866, when he was in Akaroa.

Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - N. Chevalier 1868 [in brushpoint]

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour and Chinese white on paper, 192 x 592 mm

Provenance: Prior to purchase, in a private collection in Auckland; purchased by that vendor from Christes, Australia, Paintings, Prints & Books auction, 1986; lot 184