A collection of 22 fragile watercolour portraits of Maori in the 1800s go on display in Wellington from Tuesday.
The paintings by Isaac Coates will be on display in the Turnbull Gallery of the newly revamped National Library.
The Head and Shoulders: Portraits of Maori were created between 1808 and 1878.
Alexander Turnbull Library Maori curator Paul Diamond says the people painted by Coates were living through a time of fundamental transformation.
He says it may seem incongruous that the fine portraits should emerge from a time of tense relationships between Maori and Pakeha.
Mr Diamond says the coexistence can be seen in a portrait of Pikiwati, who has a partially tattooed face, drawn in exquisite detail, but is also wearing European dress: a blue jacket and neck scarf.
The exhibition runs until 16 March.
