Book on artist Gottfried Lindauer climaxes Woodville couple's labour of love

Woodville historians Joan and Kevin McIntyre's 260-page book on the life of Gottfried Lindauer will be launched on August 10. Photo / Christine McKay

After 18 years of research and travelling in New Zealand, Australia and the Czech Republic, Woodville historians Joan and Kevin McIntyre decided it was time to compile a book on artist Gottfried Lindauer.

The couple admit they haven't had much of a life since they began dedicating much of their time to learning more about Lindauer, who lived and painted in Woodville from 1890, where he purchased a 4ha block on Pinfold Rd.

He lived there until his death in 1926 and is buried at Woodville's historic Gorge Cemetery, along with his wife Rebecca and son Hector.

Since 1975, the McIntyres have been in pursuit of Lindauer paintings which they've copied, with permission of the owners, for Woodville's Lindauer Replica Studio and even their holidays have been spent chasing down more of the artist's work.

But they really hit pay-dirt during their trip to the Czech Republic and Pilsen University in 2015, uncovering more of Lindauer's work and his letters back home from New Zealand.

Now, after 18 years, the massive record of Lindauer's work is coming off the press, with the first copy in their hands.

"We've had to have tenacity to keep going because we had a mad fit when we started out on this," Kevin told the Dannevirke News.

Lindauer is well known for his Maori portraits, but of his unseen works of art, more than half are of European settlers and these are mainly still in private collections hidden away from public view and therefore unknown at large - until now.

"It's exciting because it's been such a long time getting to this point," Joan said.

And with the first copy now in the country, Kevin can reflect on their efforts.

"It's been such a long, drawn-out thing," he said.

After almost two decades of researching, writing and compiling the 260-page book - 180 of them in colour - the couple started the printing process 12 months ago.

The book launch will be at the Grand Hotel in Whanganui on August 10.

And why Whanganui and not Woodville, with its Lindauer Replica Studio?

"Our printer, H&A Print in Whanganui, is sponsoring the launch," Kevin said.

The book contains 127 portraits, mostly unseen of European settlers in New Zealand, and tells of Lindauer's early life and art training in Bohemia in the Czech Republic and his work before coming to New Zealand, as well as the artist's 15 years of travels and working on commissions within New Zealand.

It also details the 36 years he lived in Woodville until his death in 1926.

"There are also accounts of his family tours back to Europe, with photos, postcards and letters all giving an insight into the life of this great New Zealand artist," Kevin said.

"Supporting his life story are newspaper articles of his advertising, travels, portraits and people and a section on Woodville's tribute to him."

The book contains a list of the almost 400 portraits Lindauer painted and can be purchased by emailing kj.mcintyre@xtra.co.nz