The etched works of Mortimer Menpes (1855 – 1938)

Adelaide : Stuart Galleries, 2012. Three volumes quarto, boards in dust jackets. A fine set.

A limited edition catalogue raisonné of the etched works of the Australian / British artist Mortimer Menpes (1855-1938). Fully illustrated catalogue, in 3 volumes. The first volume covers the years 1855-1900 with an extensive biography of the artist, Volumes 2 covers the etchings 1901-1913 and Volume 3 the etchings 1914-1938. Mortimer Menpes, painter, etcher and writer, was considered one of the greatest artists working in London in the late 19th century and was a leader, with Whistler of the Painter-Etcher movement and a founding member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers. This catalogue of his etchings provides full details on over 700 works – one to a page – from the beginnings of his etching career, through his time with Whistler in the 1880s to his travels to Japan and elsewhere, and his society portraiture activities. The catalogue also provides details of his method of working and influences and provides a full documentation of the exhibition history of his works, his unique inventory numbering system and much more. Each quarto volume (approx. 305x225mm) of the 3-volume set is printed on 130gsm Lumi matt high quality paper, with hardcover stitched binding and illustrated dust jacket and with a silk ribbon marker. Pagination is Volume 1: 11+263+30, Volume 2: 9+337+22 and Volume 3: 9+243+28. EACH SET IS NUMBERED AND HAND-SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. This series is a significant milestone in understanding a major modernist artist.