Old Courtyard, Hatfield (small plate)

Mortimer Luddington Menpes

Mortimer Menpes produced two versions of this subject, this being the first and the smaller. The larger image was produced between 1914 and 15.

This etching, which is reminiscent of some of Menpes' compositions of Brittany, depicts a courtyard in the village of Hatfield, in Hertfordshire, England.

There are no known lifetime published illustrations of this work and this image does not appear to have been exhibited during his lifetime.

The Atlas Galleries catalogue notes: "Edition sizes are seldom recorded and vary with subject and technique...some of his earlier drypoint portraits are numbered from editions of 25, and the later Venetian views are from editions of 70. It is also thought that many of his prints were not printed to a compete edition, the number of impressions pulled being determined by the wear of the plate and the demand for the works."

Australian born Mortimer Menpes studied with Whistler in 1880-81 and helped Whistler print his etchings. They were close associates for seven years. In 1887 Menpes left for Japan (upsetting Whistler) where he traveled through 1888. This work, done later in his career, still shows the influence of Whistler.