The World of Mortimer Menpes

This major exhibition pays tribute to the artistic accomplishments of Mortimer Menpes (1855-1938).  The exhibition is the first retrospective of Menpes’ work and sheds new light on his artistic practice.  It includes his work in all media – paintings, prints, drawings and ceramics – and is supported by archival photographs and material. 

Menpes was an Adelaide-born artist who moved to London in 1875 and forged a successful career as an artist in Britain, living there for the rest of his life.  During the 1880s and 1890s he travelled to Japan, India, Burma, Morocco, Cairo, Mexico and Venice, holding exhibitions upon his return to London.  During this period he also built and decorated a famous Japanese-style house in Cadogan Garden which became a hub for artistic soirées, and to which British society flocked to sit for their portraits. Menpes was a prolific painter and printmaker and this exhibition will bring together many of his finest works for Australian audiences for the first time.