Edwyn Temple described the reddish hue of the hills in this work as being due to the burnt and scorched remains of the dense bush which once covered the entire bay. German Bay was so named after the German immigrants who settled there in 1840. During World War I, with anti-German sentiment running high, many ships refused to pick up or drop off supplies at the bay, and it became known by its original Māori name of Takamatua. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have had painting and drawing tuition during his education in England and Italy and during his military training. Born in England, Temple served in the British Army’s 55th Regiment in Crimea and in India. He and his family travelled to New Zealand in 1879, and in 1880 he was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.

Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest mountain in Aotearoa New Zealand. According to Kāi Tahu, Aoraki was the eldest son of Rakinui and Pokoharua-te-pō. He and his brothers descended from the heavens in a celestial waka to visit their stepmother, Papatūānuku. When they attempted to return, a misspoken karakia caused the waka to capsize. The brothers sat upon the upturned waka and turned to stone, their hair turning white, leaving them stranded to become the highest, snow-capped peaks of Kā Tiritiri-o-te-moana Southern Alps.

Kāi Tahu ~ tribal group of much of Te Waipounamu South Island

Rakinui ~ sky father

Pokoharua-te-pō ~ personification of darkness and the underworld

waka ~ canoe

Papatūānuku ~ earth, earth mother

karakia ~ prayer or incantation

He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil (from August 2024)

This view of the Canterbury Plains is looking north from the country area of Geraldine, towards Mt Peel and Mt Hutt in the Southern Alps. The scene is close to ‘Castlewood’, Edwyn Temple’s property in South Canterbury, which he bought in 1881. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have acquired skills in painting and drawing during his education in England and Italy. He also painted regularly during his time with the British Army. Canterbury Plain, New Zealand highlights Temple’s mature representational style. Born in England, Temple joined the British Army in 1854. He served in the Crimean campaign and in India. Temple returned to England in 1866 but in 1879 he and his family travelled to New Zealand. He was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts in 1880 and was elected the society's first Secretary Treasurer. He also exhibited in the society’s first exhibition. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.

Haumuri Bluff is the rocky headland found between the mouth of the Conway River and Oaro on the Kaikoura coastline of the South Island. Edwyn Temple and a companion travelled by buggy to the area in January 1892 and stayed there for four days, making daily trips out along the Bridle track. The sketches Temple made at this time were later worked into a number of watercolours. He was concerned to give a realistic and accurate portrayal of the scene. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have had painting and drawing tuition during his education in England and Italy and during his military training. Born in England, Temple served in the British Army's 55th Regiment in Crimea and in India. He and his family travelled to New Zealand in 1879 and, in 1880, he was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.

La Martiniere is a school in Lucknow, India, whose pupils fought in the siege of Lucknow, an episode in the Indian Mutiny of 1857.