[Merrett, Joseph Jenner] 1815-1854 :Opita on the Thames. 29 March 1848.

Description: View of a Maori village at the water's edge. Two canoes are in the water, one being rowed out beyond poles holding it in place. The seven people in the view are all dressed in Maori garb. There are two dwellings and two pataka (storehouses) on the river bank, all with thatched (raupo?) roofs. Beyond them is a substantial row of palisades and a gateway, with carvings spaced along the fence and the roofs of further dwellings and storage platforms visible. Catalogued by both Sotheby's and McArthur's as the work of Clarke. However on both stylistic and handwriting grounds (c.f. Merrett's work in A.T.L. and the British Library), the work appears to be by Merrett. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom centre:: Opita on the Thames. N.Z. [in black ink] Verso - centre: Opita on the Thames. 29 March 1848. Thames. [In very faint pencil] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Ink and sepia watercolour 211 x 268 mm Provenance: Purchased in London from Sotheby's, 6 Nov 1985, then to M...