Description
Mortimer Menpes was an Australian-born British painter, printmaker, illustrator, and author. Born in Adelaide, Australia, where his parents had relocated from England, he studied at the Adelaide School of Design. His formal art training began in 1878 at the School of Art in London after his family had moved back to England. Menpes also studied with James McNeill Whistler, whom he met in 1880 and who taught him etching. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1880, and exhibited regularly there over the following 20 years. He became a major figure in the etching revival, producing more than 700 different etchings and drypoints that he usually printed himself. Menpes traveled widely in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Mexico, during the early 20th century, publishing many illustrations in travel books. He was a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. His works are highly collectible as fine art etchings by an Australian artist.
Condition: Generally very good, recently professional cleaned and deacidified with light remaining over toning, wear, handling. Formerly mounted with tape in side margins now professionally removed leaving pale discoloration marks, easily matted out. Margins slightly irregular all ample for framing beyond platemark Short tear left margin professionally restored verso with mulberry paper.
References:
Morgan, Gary, and Menpes, Mortimer. The Etched Works of Mortimer Menpes (1855-1938). Australia: Stuart Galleries, 2012. 312.
“Southwark Bridge.” Harris Digital Productions. 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20131215153238/http://www.southwarkbridge.co.uk/project (25 January 2024).
