Portrait of Admiral Sir Edward Hughes

Text originally created for Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand exhibition at Te Papa, March 2018.

In 1782, Sir Edward Hughes fought five fierce naval battles with the French fleet.

Naturally, he had his portrait painted on his return from the East Indies to England. What might he have said to the artist? ‘Pray limn me, my good Sir, in the attire that befits my status as Vice Admiral of the Blue. And don’t forget my telescope, in case I see those dastardly Frenchmen!'

The portrait travelled to New Zealand in 1860 with a descendant of its original buyer – a Royal Navy commander who’d fought with Hughes.

I te tau 1782, e rima ngā pakanga i pakangatia e Sir Edward Hughes me te ope tauā moana o Wīwī.

I peitatia tana kōwaiwai kiritangata i tana hokinga atu ki Ingarangi i te Paeroa o Āhia. He aha hoki tāna ki te ringatoi? ‘Whakaahuatia ahau, e hika, i roto i ngā kākahu rangatira hei tohu i tōku mana. Kaua e wareware i taku paikaraihe, mō te tūpono ka kitea ērā tauā o Wīwī!'

Nā te uri o te kaihoko tuatahi o te kōwaiwai kiritangata i kawe mai ki Aotearoa i te tau 1860 – he toihau i te Tauā Moana a te Karauna i pakanga tahi i tō Hughes taha.