1866 - 1933

Kerngegevens

  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Top-ranked work: River scene
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Lifespan: 67 years
  • Works on this site: 8
  • Museums on this site: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

A Life in Color and History

Born in Nottingham, England, Walter Wright emigrated to New Zealand with his family following the death of his father. Settling in Auckland, he began his professional journey as an upholstery apprentice on Shortland Street. His artistic talent emerged early, and he began exhibiting with the Auckland Society of Arts, where his seaside scenes were noted for their inherent genius. Seeking further refinement, Wright and his brother Frank returned to England to study at the Heatherley Art School, where Walter studied under Stanhope Forbes.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Wright established a studio in Auckland, where he worked as both an artist and a teacher. His career was marked by extensive travels throughout the country, producing a series of seventy-five watercolours that illustrated William Pember Reeves' book, New Zealand. He also contributed work to Frank Fox's Oceania.

Depicting Māori Life and Culture

Wright became a leading exponent in the depiction of Māori life and culture. His subject matter was diverse, ranging from everyday scenes of women washing clothes in hot pools and harvesting crops to large social gatherings. His work A Native Gathering received significant praise at the Auckland Society of Arts' 1910 annual exhibition. Other notable works include The Canoe Builders, a collaboration with his brother Frank, and The Burning of the Boyd, Whangaroa Harbour, 1809, which was acclaimed as the finest picture at the 1908 exhibition.

In his later years, Wright's output was impacted by failing eyesight, leading him to cease teaching. Following the death of his brother Frank in 1923, he became somewhat reclusive. He died in Auckland, leaving behind a legacy of works held in significant collections, including the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

Vraag en antwoord

Hoe vind ik werken van Walter Wright in een specifiek kleurenpalet?

Op de Op kleurpalet-pagina worden de kunstwerken van Walter Wright gegroepeerd op basis van hun kleurenpalet.

In welke stromingen heeft Walter Wright gewerkt?

De stromingen waarin Walter Wright werkte, zijn te vinden op de Alle stromingen-pagina van de kunstenaar, waar de kunstwerken per stroming zijn gegroepeerd.

Waar kan ik de kunstwerken van Walter Wright ontdekken, ingedeeld op onderwerp?

De Onderwerpsindex van Walter Wright biedt een overzicht van de kunstwerken van de kunstenaar, ingedeeld op onderwerp.

Hoe kan ik het werk van Walter Wright chronologisch volgen?

De kunstwerken van Walter Wright zijn in chronologische volgorde te bekijken op de Chronologie kunstwerken pagina van de kunstenaar.

Test je oog

Er is slechts één goed antwoord op elke vraag.

Vraag 1:
Where was Walter Wright born?
Vraag 2:
With whom did Walter Wright study art at the Heatherley Art School?
Vraag 3:
Which work by Wright was acclaimed as the 'finest picture' at the 1908 ASA annual exhibition?
Vraag 4:
What was Walter Wright's occupation before becoming a professional artist?
Vraag 5:
In which year did Walter Wright die?