Lady with a Veil
James McLachlan Nairn (1859-1904)
1895
Watercolour on paper
Image: 390mm (width), 560mm (height)
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa (1959-0026-1)
Bequest of Miss Ann Katherine Blackett, 1959
Those attracted to Nairn for his plein air views might be surprised by his skill as a portraitist, but these works embody the same empathetic response. This portrait brilliantly captures the elderly woman's dignity and composure, making an interesting feature of the veil which enhances rather than obscures her pleasant expression. — Jacqueline Banerjee