Mortimer Menpes b. c.22 February 1860

  • Artist (Printmaker),
  • Artist (Draughtsman),
  • Artist (Painter)
While living in Japan in the 1880s, Menpes outraged Whistler, who accused him of plagiarising his own Japanese methods in painting. Whether this was so or not, Menpes did admire Whistler and eventually became his biographer. He was also an enthusiast of Japonisme, and acquired a substantial collection of Japanese carvings for his home. He was a keen traveller, and his legacy includes a number of h

Painter, illustrator and etcher, was born in Port Adelaide (SA) on 22 or 23 February 1860, later describing himself as 'inartistically born in Australia’ ( Who Was Who 1929-40 , quoted Clark). He went to London in 1879 with his father and soon after married a ward of his father’s, Rose Grosse. Studied at South Kensington under Poynter & Sparkes and exhibited RA. 1880-81 doing etchings influenced by Whistler. In 1887 he visited Japan and the following year had an exhibition of his paintings of Japan at Dowdeswells, London. Whistler was furious that his so-called Japanese methods were identical to his and accused him of plagiarism.

Menpes became celebrated as an etcher with a special interest in Japonisme. Decorated his house with real Japanese carving. Wrote Whistler’s biography. He also illustrated numerous books, largely accounts of his travels. Fine Arts Society, London, regularly sells his work. The Art Institute of Chicago has 14 images by Menpes, eight related to Whistler and one a sketch of Sarah Bernhard.

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Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1996
Last updated:
2007