the tale of the french bishop: purple against the dark green bush
DESCRIPTION
Piera McArthur has taken the life of Bishop Pompallier and transformed it into a vibrant anthology. She writes;Through the mists of the past looms a haunting image. It is that of Jean Baptiste Francois Pompallier, first Catholic Bishop of Western Oceania. He is tall, handsome, sophisticated, splendid in his purple robes, a gloriously coloured figure against the dark green of the bush and a splendid product of post Napoleonic France. Well educated and suave, he comes from Lyons, where his family is involved in the silk trade. It is 1838 and Felton Mathew, New Zealand’s first Surveyor General writes to his wife, ‘today we had a visit from the French Bishop. He is a fine, handsome, intelligent man, perfectly the gentleman in manner and a striking contrast to our own missionaries who to their disgrace, be it said, have endeavoured to turn the natives against him... I intend to call upon him’. Dear Bishop, I have loved our collaboration - PieraTRANSCRIPT
Jonathan Grant Galleries
Piera McArthur in her studio.
(Illustrated on cover)
6th February 1840Acrylic on canvas, 105 x 180 cm
The Tale of the French Bishop Purple against the Dark Green BushPiera McArthur has taken the life of Bishop Pompallier and transformed it into a vibrant anthology. She writes;
Through the mists of the past looms a haunting image. It is that of Jean Baptiste Francois Pompallier, first Catholic Bishop of Western Oceania.
He is tall, handsome, sophisticated, splendid in his purple robes, a gloriously coloured figure against the dark green of the bush and a splendid product of post Napoleonic France. Well educated and suave, he comes from Lyons, where his family is involved in the silk trade. It is 1838 and Felton Mathew, New Zealand’s first Surveyor General writes to his wife, ‘today we had a visit from the French Bishop. He is a fine, handsome, intelligent man, perfectly the gentleman in manner and a striking contrast to our own missionaries who to their disgrace, be it said, have endeavoured to turn the natives against him... I intend to call upon him’.
The young Pompallier comes to these shores afire with 19th Century evangelizing zeal and the paintings in this show, as well as the book we are launching, are about painterly situations in the Bishop’s life. His story is immensely varied. He knows joy and despair, success and failure, he encounters bitter hostility, knows loneliness, grandeur, poverty and is by some even considered to be an agent of France!
He endures great hardship and witnesses many astonishing and horrifying events in the course of his unending endeavours to show his flock the path to a ‘Heavenly Kingdom’. His tale is one of utter commitment and optimistic perseverance. He thought he was a failure, but he left many who loved him and made an indelible impression on early New Zealand.
Dear Bishop, I have loved our collaboration -
“Who Will Tell My Tale?” Asks the BishopAcrylic and oilstick on canvas, 112 x 76 cm
The Painter ListensOilstick marouflage on canvas, 112 x 76 cm
The Bishop’s Feet Touch Ground in the Swirling Emerald WatersAcrylic marouflage on canvas, 51 x 71 cm
The Bishop Wades Ashore and Sees a Giant GroperAcrylic marouflage on canvas, 51 x 71 cm
The Long Sea Voyage to New Zealand. The Bishop on Deck Studying MaoriAcrylic wash & indian ink, 68 x 97 cm
Rangihoua 1814, Maoris Flee in Terror at the Sight of Marsden’s Cattle, Cavorting in the SurfAcrylic on canvas, 167 x 167 cm
Bishop Pompallier Teaches the Lord’s PrayerPastel & indian ink, 64 x 98 cm
The Bishop is Faced with Many Unusual SituationsPastel & indian ink, 64 x 98 cm
Pompallier Teaches Maori to the Governor’s Wife Acrylic and oilstick, 101 x 71 cm
The Bishop is Known to LevitateAcrylic and oilstick, 112 x 76 cm
The Bishop Takes Everything in His strideAcrylic and pencil, 51 x 71 cm
The Lord’s PrayerAcrylic and pencil, 51 x 71 cm
Anglicans Annoyed to Find a French Bishop on their TerritoryAcrylic and pencil, 68 x 92 cm
Telling Henry Williams to Go Easy on the Hell FireAcrylic and pencil, 51 x 71 cm
Misery in the BushAcrylic and oilstick, 112 x 76 cm
Ngauruhoe Erupts and the Bishop’s Horse Rears in TerrorAcrylic and conté crayon, 84 x 56 cm
The Governor’s Wife hangs on the Bishop's every wordAcrylic on canvas, 91 x 66 cm
The Bishop Arguing with Henry WilliamsAcrylic and pencil, 68 x 91 cm
Short Rations in the Bishop’s HouseAcrylic and pencil, 70 x 99 cm
Pompallier’s Bid for Religious Freedom Acrylic and oilstick, 112 x 76 cm
Confusion at the Signing of the TreatyAcrylic and pencil, 51 x 71 cm
Kawiti & Rewa Ask Pompallier’s Advice about the Treaty Acrylic on canvas, 101 x 84 cm
Hone Heke up the FlagpoleAcrylic on canvas, 92 x 66 cm
Jonathan Grant Galleries280 Parnell Road PO Box 37 673 Parnell Auckland New Zealand Tel: (64-9) 308 9125 E-Mail: [email protected]
www.jonathangrantgalleries.com
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Last Pastoral Visit of Bishop Pompallier to Kaitaia, 1868Acrylic on canvas, 101 x 121 cm