Artwork Information

Twice Governor of New Zealand (1845–53, 1861–8) and Prime Minister of New Zealand (1877–9) Sir George Grey was also a very significant benefactor to the City of Auckland. In addition to presenting a considerable manuscript and rare book collection to the public library, he presented the Auckland Art Gallery with 53 paintings that were the nucleus of the Gallery’s collection, including works by Caspar Netscher, Henry Fuseli, William Blake and David Wilkie, along with his large personal collection of Māori taonga. The portrait was published in London during his second term as Governor of New Zealand.