Louis John Steele in his studio with his portrait of Sir John Logan Campbell at Kilbryde, black and white photograph from Campbell’s unpublished “My autobiography”, 1904-7, Campbell papers, Cornwall Park Trust on deposit Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Photo: supplied
Louis John Steele was celebrated during his life as one of New Zealand's great artists.
He was one of Charles Goldie's first teachers and collaborated with him with him on major projects.
But when Steele died 100 years ago, he was penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave.
Last year, his painting of Sir John Logan Campbell was rediscovered and sold for $505,000 at auction.
Doctoral student, Jane Davidson-Ladd is investigating Steele's life and is searching for more of his missing works.
Jane can be contacted via this webpage.
Louis John Steele in his studio with his portrait of Sir John Logan Campbell at Kilbryde, black and white photograph from Campbell’s unpublished “My autobiography”, 1904-7, Campbell papers, Cornwall Park Trust on deposit Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Louis John Steele, Self Portrait with Mahlstick, undated, oil on canvas, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1954.
Louis John Steele and Charles F. Goldie, The Arrival of the Maoris in New Zealand, 1898, oil on canvas, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of the late George and Helen Boyd, 1899, 1899/2/2.
Ivy Copeland copy after Louis John Steele’s original 1893 pastel drawing (lost), The Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, 1933, pastel on paper, Waitangi National Trust, gift of Sacred Heart College Old Boys, 1933.
Louis John Steele, Portrait of a young Maori woman with moko, 1891, oil on canvas. Purchased 1995 with Ellen Eames Collection funds. Te Papa (1995-0015-1).
Louis John Steele, An Old Chief, Ngaroki Te Uru, 1913, oil on board, private collection, Wellington.
Louis John Steele, Sir John Logan Campbell at Kilbryde, c.1902, oil on canvas, private collection, Auckland. Image courtesy International Art Centre.
Louis John Steele, Portrait of an unidentified girl, 1889, charcoal on paper, private collection, Whanganui.
Louis John Steele, Untitled Sketchbook, 1889, pencil and watercolour on paper, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2005.
Louis John Steele, Untitled Sketchbook, 1889, pencil and watercolour on paper, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2005.
