Maori Woman Carte de Visite.

New Zealand: Foy Brothers, Ca. 1880. Ephemera. Photo of an unidentified Maori woman with Ta Moko (traditional Maori tattooing) and huia feathers, native cloak over western dress taken in the Foy Brothers studio in Thames, New Zealand. James Joseph Foy and Joseph Michael Foy were active photographers in New Zealand from 1871 to 1902.

The large quantity of Foy Bros. surviving carte de visites shows a very successful business due to the growth of European interest in ethnographic photography and a less expensive photographic process.

The Foy Bros. also had a collaborative relationship with the painter Gottfried Lindauer, as Foy photographs were used by Lindauer in his portraiture (Auckland Art Gallery). This image closely resembles a Lindauer painted portrait of Mrs. Mihiterina Takamoana, which causes us to conclude that this is the same woman, although there is no identifying information on the carte de visite.

Gelatin silver printing, approx. 2.5 x 4", with hand written '57' at base on verso. Very clean. Very good condition. Item #23195

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