Studio portrait of a tattooed Marquesan dancer.
- Used
Seller: Douglas Stewart Fine Books, Armadale, VIC, AustraliaDouglas Stewart Fine Books
AbeBooks seller since February 15, 2018
Condition: Used
£ 1,083.91
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
[Circa 1887]. Albumen print photograph, 200 x 140 mm, unmounted; verso with fully contemporary caption in pencil: Marquesan dancer; a strong print with rich tonal range and excellent clarity and contrast; the print is in very good condition, with the tiniest of nicks at two of the corners and some insignificant light creasing to the thin paper. This culturally significant portrait of a tattooed Marquesan dancerwas taken by Charles Spitz in his studio in Papeete, Tahiti around 1887 (cf.Tréhin, 89). Along with the perhaps more well-known image by Mrs Sophia Hoare (cf. Tréhin, 85), Spitz's striking full-length portrait is one of the two key nineteenth-century photographic images documenting traditional Marquesan and, by extension, Polynesian tattooing practice. The following extract from Frederick O'Brien's Atolls of the Sun(New York : The Century Co., 1922, p. 343) records the remarks of an indigenous informant regarding the significance of tattooing in Marquesan society: ?"Tattooing in these islands," said Nataro, "was usually begun upon those able to pay for it at the age ofpuberty; but there were many exceptions of tattooingcommenced upon boys soon after their infancy or deferred until mature manhood. Illness, poverty, orother obstacle might prevent, and the desire of parentsmight cause early tattooing. The father or other relative or protector of the youth or girl paid the tuhukabut at the festivals even the very poor orphans weregiven opportunities to be tattooed by a general contribution, or the chief of the valley paid the fee. Yearswere occupied at intervals in the covering of the entirebody of men, which was the aim; but many had to becontent with having a part pictured, and often elaboratedesigns were never finished. You see many bare places,meant to be covered when the tuhuka began his work.Queen Vaekehu was converted to Christianity with butone leg done and forewent further beautification toserve her new God. Though begun in boyhood, the fulladornment of a man could hardly be terminated beforehis thirtieth year. During his lifetime of sixty yearshe might have it renewed twice, and as each pore couldnot be duplicated exactly the third coat would make hima solid mass of color, the goal of manly beauty.Though men usually sought to look terrible so thatwhen they faced their enemies they would inspire fear,with women the sex motif was dominant," said Nataro.' Related literature: Tréhin, Jean-Yves. Tahiti :L'Edenà l'épreuve de la photographie. (Paris : Gallimard, 2003) Provenance:James Lyle Young (1849-1929), Papeete merchant and Pacific Islands trader; by descent (Melbourne, Australia).…
Seller Inventory # 28162
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Studio portrait of a tattooed Marquesan dancer.
- Author
- SPITZ, Charles Georges (1857-1894)
Douglas Stewart Fine Books
Armadale, VIC, Australia
Shipping rates from Australia to U.S.A.
| Item | 8 to 14 business days | 25 to 45 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 27.89 | £ 27.89 |
Payment methods
Store description
Douglas Stewart Fine Books is an antiquarian bookseller based in Melbourne, Australia. Our showroom is in High Street, Armadale, a precinct famous for its antique dealers, art galleries and bookshops. We buy and sell books both locally and around the world, working closely with clients to understand their collecting priorities and to source appropriate material. Our clients include libraries, galleries, museums, private collectors and fellow members of the trade. Douglas Stewart is a member of the major international trade associations, and his business is conducted according to their high ethical standards. For many years he has been a Board member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB) and is currently its President; he is also a Mentor for the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. Douglas Stewart Fine Books sells rare books across all fields, but our strengths are in travel and exploration – particularly of Australia and the Pacific – and Australian art. In addition, we deal in all types of heritage material, including photographs, manuscripts, ephemera, maps and globes, and fine art. Each month we issue a new online catalogue of recent acquisitions; we recommend that you join our email list so you can be among the first to see what’s available. Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any works you see online – we are always happy to assist with your enquiries. We are also keen to buy rare and interesting books, photographs and ephemera, from important single items to entire libraries or collections. You are welcome to contact us if you have something to sell which you think may be of interest to us. We love meeting new people and welcoming visitors to our shop (open Monday to Saturday), but if you can't make it to Melbourne you can find probably find us at one of the major fairs in London, New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Toronto, San Francisco, Boston, Hong Kong or Sydney - all places we have exhibited in since 2009. Douglas Stewart Fine Books…
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Seller's business information
Douglas Stewart Fine Books Pty. Ltd.
720 High Street
Armadale, VIC Australia 3143
Terms of sale
Douglas Stewart Fine Books Pty. Ltd.
ABN: 44 143 361 479
720 High Street
Armadale VIC 3143
Australia
+61 3 9066 0200
info@douglasstewart.com.au
douglasstewart.com.au
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