1866 - 1933

Essentials

  • 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.

Pitanja i odgovori

Kako mogu da pronađem dela umetnika Walter Wright u specifičnoj paleti boja?

Stranica Preko palete boja grupiše dela umetnika Walter Wright prema njihovim paletama boja.

U kojim je umetničkim pravcima Walter Wright stvarala/stvarao?

Umetnički pravci u kojima je Walter Wright stvarao možete videti na stranici Svi umetnički pravci, koja grupiše dela prema pokretu.

Gde se mogu pronaći dela umetnika Walter Wright klasifikovana prema temi?

Atlas tema za Walter Wright je stranica koja mapira umetnikova dela prema njihovim motivima.

Kako mogu pratiti radove umetnika Walter Wright hronološki?

Radove umetnika Walter Wright možete pogledati hronološkim redosledom na stranici Hronologija dela umetnika.

Test your eye

Svako pitanje ima samo jedan tačan odgovor.

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