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The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $181 40 × 25 cm
Same size as the original $453 126 × 80 cm Order at original size →
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899) is the most famous painting by Frank Wright, held by the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in Auckland. The Close of day (1909) and Morning after rain (1912) are the next two works the world knows best. From the 5 works of Frank Wright in our catalogue, here are the 5 that collectors and museum visitors look at most, with the year, the museum and the story of each.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated November 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Frank Wright | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki |
Auckland | 4 | The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay, The Close of day, Morning after rain |
 Te Whare O Rehua Sarjeant Gallery |
1 | Waitakeres |
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899), Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland. Next come The Close of day (1909) and Morning after rain (1912).
39 years old: The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay dates from 1899 and Frank Wright was born in 1860.
Our catalogue lists 5 works by Frank Wright, dated from 1899 to 1912.
Most of them are in Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki (Auckland) and Te Whare O Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. The table above lists the museums one by one.
In 1910s: 2 of the 5 works on this page date from then, among them Morning after rain.
The earliest on this page is The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899), the latest Morning after rain (1912).
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay, The Close of day and Morning after rain are among the 4 works on this page held by the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland.
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.
Frank Wright remains a figure of significant interest for collectors tracking the turn-of-the-century landscape of New Zealand. While his reputation was long confined to the Auckland region, his technical proficiency distinguishes him from his contemporaries. He was a professional painter who operated with a level of discipline that set him apart from more popular, less structured artists of his era. His work provides a direct visual record of the New Zealand landscape and its inhabitants during a transformative period.
The market has recently begun to recognize the true value of his output. For years, his works lagged behind others in price, but recent auction results have corrected this oversight. His ability to capture specific locales, from the waters of Whangarei Harbour to the estuaries of Tamaki, demonstrates a focused commitment to the geography of his surroundings.
Wright’s practice was defined by a clear, observational approach to his subjects. He worked across various media, showing a particular aptitude for both oil on canvas and watercolour. His compositions often centered on the intersection of land and water, capturing the specific light and atmosphere of the New Zealand coast.
His repertoire includes several notable subjects and formats:
The significance of Wright’s work is cemented by his inclusion in major regional exhibitions. A joint exhibition arranged by the Auckland City Art Gallery in 1953 confirmed his place in the local canon. He was part of a final generation of painters who defined the aesthetic of the turn of the century in New Zealand. His paintings are no longer merely regional curiosities; they are essential components for understanding the development of New Zealand's early art market.