French sketch of a Māori

French sketch of a Māori

Among the French explorers who visited New Zealand in the early days of European contact was Marc Joseph Marion du Fresne. Although his expedition to New Zealand cost him his life, he left an extensive record of Māori life for posterity. The second-in-command was Julien Crozet, whose book Voyage à la mer du sud was published in 1783. It included this sketch by an unknown artist, entitled ‘Habillemens des Insulaires de la Nouvelle Zélande’.