Born in South Australia in 1855, Menpes studied in Adelaide at Adelaide's School of Design prior to his departure for England in 1879 where he underook further study at the School of Art in London in 1878. He was known as a painter and etcher and held many exhibitions of his works in London. He 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. He spent the last 30 years of his life in Pangbourne, Berkshire. In 1938 donated 38 of his copies of the old masters to the Australian Government now part of the collection at the National Library of Australia.
The total number of works by Mortimer Menpes offered for sale by auction since 1967 is 206, of which 141 (68%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $73,200 for Archer, C.1897 sold by Deutscher and Hackett in April 2019. This year 3 works have been offered for sale. Works by Mortimer Menpes are held by the Art Gallery of South Australia, National Gallery of Australia and a further seven major public national galleries (see list below).
Mortimer Menpes is listed in the following standard biographical references:
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
No, ineligible. The artist has been deceased for more than 70 years.
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