Mortimer Menpes Art

Australian, 1855-1938

Mortimer Luddington Menpes was born in Port Adelaide, South Australia on February 22, 1855, the second son of property developer James Menpes, who with his wife, Ann, had settled in Australia in 1839.Educated at Adelaide Educational Institution, he attended classes at the Adelaide School of Design, and did some excellent work as a photo-colourist, but his formal art training began at the School of Art in London in 1878, after his family had moved back to England in 1875. Edward Poynter was a fellow student at the school. Menpes first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1880, and, over the following 20 years, 35 of his paintings and etchings were shown at the Academy. Menpes set off on a sketching tour of Brittany in 1880, during which he met James McNeill Whistler. He became Whistler's pupil, and at one stage shared a flat with him at Cheyne Walk on the Chelsea Embankment in London. He was taught etching by Whistler, whose influence, together with that of Japanese design, is evident in his later work. Menpes became a major figure in the etching revival , producing more than seven hundred different etchings and drypoints , which he usually printed himself. As early as 1880, a selection of ten of his drypoint portraits, donated to the British Museum by Charles A. Howell, brought him critical acclaim. In 1875, Menpes married fellow Australian Rosa Mary Grosse (d. 23 Aug 1936) in London. They had a son, Mortimer James (b. 1879) and two daughters, Rose Maud Goodwin and Dorothy Whistler. A visit to Japan in 1887 led to his first one-man exhibition at Dowdeswell's Gallery in London. Menpes moved into a property at 25 Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Square, designed for him by A. H. Mackmurdo in 1888 and decorated it in the Japanese style. Whistler and Menpes quarreled in 1888 over the interior design of the house, which Whistler felt was a brazen copying of his own ideas. The house was sold in 1900, and Menpes moved to Kent. In 1900, after the outbreak of the Boer War, Menpes was sent to South Africa as a war artist for the weekly illustrated magazine Black and White. After the end of the war in 1902, he travelled widely, visiting Burma, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kashmir, Mexico, Morocco, and Spain. Many of his illustrations were published in travel books by A & C Black. His book on the Delhi Durbar was an illustrated record of the commemoration in Delhi of the coronation of King Edward VII. Menpes became a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers (RE) in 1881, Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) in 1885, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI) in 1897, and Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) in 1899. In 1904 he published the memoir of his time with Whistler, Whistler as I Knew Him. Mortimer Menpes died in Pangebourne on April 1, 1938.

Artist: Mortimer Menpes

Mortimer MenpesMexican on a donkey, Mexico, Mortimer Menpes etching with drypoint, 1914, 1914

$415

Mexican on a donkey, Mexico, Mortimer Menpes etching with drypoint, 1914

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

Signed in pencil below the image. Signed and dated in the plate. The number '327' inscribed in pencil in lower margin. Mortimer Menpes was an artist and engraver, author, printmake...

Category

Early 20th Century Naturalistic Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Engraving

Mortimer MenpesMortimer Menpes - Framed Early 20th Century Etching, An Old Inn Courtyard, 20th Century

$350

Mortimer Menpes - Framed Early 20th Century Etching, An Old Inn Courtyard

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in Corsham, GB

An original etching by Mortimer Luddington Menpes (1855–1938), depicting the cobblestone courtyard and timber-framed architecture of the historic Mermaid Inn in Rye, East Sussex. Pre...

Category

20th Century Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching

Mortimer MenpesMortimer Luddington Menpes - Early 20th Century Etching, Canterbury Cathedral, 20th Century

$495

Mortimer Luddington Menpes - Early 20th Century Etching, Canterbury Cathedral

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in Corsham, GB

An original etching by Mortimer Luddington Menpes (1855–1938), depicting Canterbury Cathedral from the Westgate. Initialled in plate lower left. Pencil signed below plate lines. Pres...

Category

20th Century Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching

Mortimer Menpes"A Breton Beggar" original etching, circa 1880

$150

"A Breton Beggar" original etching

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original etching. This impression is printed on watermarked Arches MBM laid paper. Size: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (plate) with good margins. Signed in the plate (not by hand).

Category

Late 19th Century Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching

Mortimer MenpesBassin d'Apollon, Versailles (Fountain of Appollo, Versailles)., c. 1910

$400Sale Price|20% Off

Bassin d'Apollon, Versailles (Fountain of Appollo, Versailles).

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in Plano, TX

Bassin d'Apollon, Versailles (Fountain of Appollo, Versailles). Drypoint. Menpes 364. 7 1/8 x 9 1/8 (sheet 8 13/16 x 10 7/8). A very rich impression with drypoint burr and plate tone...

Category

Early 20th Century Modern Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching

French Etching - Place Stanislas, 1959

$225

H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in

French Etching - Place Stanislas

Located in Houston, TX

Playful black and white etching of a child figure looking out on a quaint city square in Nancy, France, 1959. Signed and dated lower right, titled and numbered 16 of 140 lower left. ...

Category

1950s Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Etching

Jean CocteauFrench Modern Art by Jean Cocteau - Le Lézard et Le Page, 1936

$2,000

H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.04 in

French Modern Art by Jean Cocteau - Le Lézard et Le Page

By Jean Cocteau

Located in Paris, IDF

Etching or eau-forte on archival paper with H.C. in pencil at lower left, indicating a Hors Commerce (Artist's/Publisher's Proof) including pencil signature that appears to read Jean...

Category

1930s Symbolist Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Etching

Johann Wilhelm WeinmannSpider Lily: An Original 18th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by J. Weinmann, 1736

$620Sale Price|20% Off

H 15.75 in W 9.5 in

Spider Lily: An Original 18th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by J. Weinmann

By Johann Wilhelm Weinmann

Located in Alamo, CA

This colored botanical mezzotint and line engraving finished with hand coloring by Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683-1741) is entitled "A. Ephemerum Virginianu flore Purpureo, B. Ephemer...

Category

Mid-18th Century Naturalistic Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Engraving, Mezzotint

John Taylor ArmsJohn Taylor Arms, Battle Wagon, 1943, World War II nautical American Navy ship, 1943

$900

H 11.88 in W 17.88 in

John Taylor Arms, Battle Wagon, 1943, World War II nautical American Navy ship

By John Taylor Arms

Located in New York, NY

John Taylor Arms was known for making such finely drawn etchings that commercial tools were not good enough: He regularly used sewing needles with corks for handles. Made during Worl...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Realist Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching

Max PollakEtching and aquatint of Wall Street, New York, 1920s, 1920s

$750

H 20.75 in W 11.75 in D 1 in

Etching and aquatint of Wall Street, New York, 1920s

By Max Pollak

Located in Colfax, CA

Etching and aquatint of Wall Street, New York circa 1928 by Max Pollak. Painter and printmaker Max Pollak, (1886-1970), was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia and was raised in Vienna, A...

Category

1920s American Modern Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Pablo PicassoPeintre et Modèle, 43/50, circa 1964 — Pablo Picasso, Etching & Aquatint, circa 1964

$29,640Sale Price|20% Off

H 29.5 in W 33.25 in

Peintre et Modèle, 43/50, circa 1964 — Pablo Picasso, Etching & Aquatint

By Pablo Picasso

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Peintre, et Modèle Avec un Noeud Dans Les Chevaux, circa 1964, by Pablo Picasso. Original etching and aquatint on RFK Rives, edition 43/50. Published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris....

Category

15th Century and Earlier Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Aquatint, Carborundum Etching

Johann Wilhelm WeinmannFlowering Burning Bush: 18th Century Hand-colored Weinmann Botanical Engraving, 1736

$540Sale Price|20% Off

H 15.25 in W 9.88 in

Flowering Burning Bush: 18th Century Hand-colored Weinmann Botanical Engraving

By Johann Wilhelm Weinmann

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an original antique colored botanical mezzotint and line engraving of flowering Gas Plants or Burning Bush and Fraxinella, which is finished with hand-coloring. It is entitle...

Category

Mid-18th Century Naturalistic Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Engraving, Mezzotint

Louis H. RuylNew York Skyline, 1920

$450

H 9.18 in W 12.72 in

New York Skyline

By Louis H. Ruyl

Located in Middletown, NY

Etching with drypoint on cream wove paper with deckle edges, 4 3/8 x 12 3/4 inches (233 x 323 mm); sheet 9 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches (240 x 338 mm), full margins. Signed and numbered 4/75 ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Etching, Drypoint

Giovanni Battista PiranesiVeduta del Romano Camipidpglio con scalinata che va alla chisea d’Araceli (The C, 1775

$2,500

H 15.75 in W 21.375 in

Veduta del Romano Camipidpglio con scalinata che va alla chisea d’Araceli (The C

By Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Veduta del Romano Camipidpglio con scalinata che va alla chisea d’Araceli (The Capitol and the Steps of S. Maria in Aracoeli) Etching, 1775 Watermark: Double Circle Fleur de Lys A lifetime impression with the price etching in the plate Printed in Rome, before the plates are moved to Paris and the numerous posthumous editions Reference: Hind 38 ii/IV Robison 38 ii/V with the price Wilton Ely 190 Condition: A fine Roman...

Category

1770s Baroque Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching

Joseph PennellFonte Nuova, Siena, 1883

$250

H 9.73 in W 9.85 in

Fonte Nuova, Siena

By Joseph Pennell

Located in Middletown, NY

Etching with drypoint on lightweight Japon paper, 9 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches ( 247 x 250 mm); sheet 14 x 12 3/4 inches (355 x 324 mm), full margins. Signed in pencil in the lower margin. I...

Category

Late 19th Century American Modern Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Drypoint, Etching

Johann Wilhelm WeinmannFlowering Carnation Plant: 18th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by Weinmann, 1736

$620Sale Price|20% Off

H 15.75 in W 9.38 in

Flowering Carnation Plant: 18th C. Hand-colored Botanical Engraving by Weinmann

By Johann Wilhelm Weinmann

Located in Alamo, CA

This hand-colored botanical mezzotint and line engraving by Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683-1741) is entitled "Caryophyllus Anglicus flore". It is plate 326 in Weinmann's monumental pu...

Category

Mid-18th Century Naturalistic Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Engraving, Mezzotint

David HockneyThe Enchantress in her Garden David Hockney Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, 1969

$850

H 17.75 in W 16 in

The Enchantress in her Garden David Hockney Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm

By David Hockney

Located in New York, NY

From David Hockney’s celebrated Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm portfolio, an image from the story of Rapunzel. Hockney stated: “The old woman who wants the child. In one tr...

Category

1960s Modern Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Johann Wilhelm WeinmannFlowering Dragonmouth: 18th Century Hand-colored Weinmann Botanical Engraving, 1739

$420Sale Price|20% Off

H 17 in W 10.25 in

Flowering Dragonmouth: 18th Century Hand-colored Weinmann Botanical Engraving

By Johann Wilhelm Weinmann

Located in Alamo, CA

An 18th century hand colored botanical engraving by Johann Wilhelm Weinmann (1683-1741) depicting the following flowering sage plants:...

Category

Mid-18th Century Naturalistic Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Engraving, Mezzotint

Earl HorterNew York, Skyline, Financial District, Boats, New York Waterfront

$550

H 12 in W 7.38 in

New York, Skyline, Financial District, Boats, New York Waterfront

By Earl Horter

Located in Fairlawn, OH

New York Waterfront and Skyline (also recorded as N.Y. Waterfront & Skyline and View of the New York Waterfront) Etching, 1930-1935 Unsigned Provenance: Estate of the Artist ...

Category

1930s American Realist Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Etching

Louise NevelsonTrees (Trees in Circle) Etching & Drypoint Monotype, Abstract, 1950s, 1953

$5,500

H 21.88 in W 24 in

Trees (Trees in Circle) Etching & Drypoint Monotype, Abstract, 1950s

By Louise Nevelson

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Trees (Trees in Circle) Etching & drypoint with monotype inking, 1953-1955 Signed in pencil An unrecorded trial proof, printed on heavy wove proofing paper at Atelier 17, before the ...

Category

1950s Abstract Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Drypoint, Etching, Monotype

Previously Available Items

Mortimer MenpesPortrait of Mrs. Monkton Hill, circa 1899

Sold

H 11.82 in W 5.75 in

Portrait of Mrs. Monkton Hill

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in New Orleans, LA

A beautiful haunting portrait of Mrs Monkton Hill Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Mortimer Menpes came to England in 1875. By the time of his momentous meeting with Whistler in 1...

Category

Late 19th Century English School Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Drypoint

Mortimer MenpesPortrait of Whistler with the White Lock, Wearing a Monocle., c. 1880

Sold

H 20 in W 16 in D 2 in

Portrait of Whistler with the White Lock, Wearing a Monocle.

By Mortimer Menpes

Located in Plano, TX

Mortimer Luddington Menpes, N.E.A.C., R.B.A., R.E., R.I., R.O.I. c. 1880. Drypoint. Menpes 22. 6 1/2 x 5 3/4 (sheet 11 x 8 7/8). A fine impression printed on '[ing]res FRANCE' coun...

Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Mortimer Menpes Art

Materials

Drypoint

Mortimer Menpes art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Mortimer Menpes art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Mortimer Menpes in engraving, drypoint, etching and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Mortimer Menpes art, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Harry Rogers, Ohara Koson, and Max Pollak. Mortimer Menpes art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $3,500, while the average work can sell for $490.