Jonathan White (MNZM). 1938 – 2021
2005. Oil on Canvas. Dimensions: 34″ x 48″ (860 x 1210mm)
Price: NZD $18,000
The American scientific expedition arrived in New Zealand in February 1840 in time to witness the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. On-board was James Dwight Dana (1813-1895), a young mineralogist-naturalist. During his stay in New Zealand, Dana concetrated on the crustacea of the area and found a large nbumber of species including more than 30 which were previously unknown. Mr Dana was named in his honour by surveyor explorer James McKerrow (1834-1919).
Francis (Frank) Heron Howe (1865-1959) was a surveyor’s assistant to Gerhard Mueller and Charles “Mr Explorer” Douglas. He was living and working as a surveyor’s labourer at Bruce Bay (1885) and Pairanga until 1896, when he is recorded as shifting to Otaki. He accompanied Douglas on a number of expeditions in the South Westland area. Howe Creek is named after him.
“The upper Howe is, to me, a very special and beautiful place to paint. Because of it’s remoteness it is probably visited by very few, if any, people each year. A difficult saddle crosses to the head of the Okuru River in the centre of the painting. Painted in late May the peaks are covered by an early fall of snow here, but most of the summer they are snow free.”
– Jonathan R White
