1
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 40 × 25 cm
Same size as the original $450 126 × 80 cm Order at original size →
Frank Wright, 1860 – 1923
Frank Wright's 5 Most Famous Paintings
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899) is the painting Frank Wright is best remembered for; it belongs to the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland. The Close of day (1909) and Morning after rain (1912) complete the trio of best-loved canvases. Our catalogue counts 5 works by Frank Wright. Here are the 5 most famous, with the year, the museum and the story of each canvas.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated November 2026. Each painting on this page can be ordered as an oil reproduction painted by hand on linen canvas, or as a fine art print, made to the size you choose.
- Born · died
- 1860 – 1923, Nottingham
- Works in our catalogue
- 5
- Most famous
- The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899)
- Most works at
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
The ten best-loved paintings by Frank Wright
2
The Close of day
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 42 × 24 cm
Same size as the original $805 194 × 113 cm Order at original size →
3
Morning after rain
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 39 × 25 cm
Same size as the original $314 91 × 60 cm Order at original size →
4
The Last Gleam
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 39 × 25 cm
Same size as the original $319 92 × 61 cm Order at original size →
Where Frank Wright's canvases hang
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 |
Frank Wright's most famous canvas, decade after decade
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1890s
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1900s
Ranked 2 of 5The Close of day
-
1910s
3 of 5
Morning after rain
Frank Wright's canvases, question by question
Which canvas is Frank Wright most remembered for?Read the answer
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899), Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland. The Close of day (1909) and Morning after rain (1912) follow.
The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay: how old was Frank Wright when it was painted?Read the answer
Frank Wright, born in 1860, was 39 years old: The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay dates from 1899.
How many paintings did Frank Wright create?Read the answer
5 works by Frank Wright are in our catalogue, dated 1899 to 1912.
Where do Frank Wright's most famous canvases hang today?Read the answer
Mostly in Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki (Auckland) and Te Whare O Rehua Sarjeant Gallery; the list above names each museum and its canvases.
When did Frank Wright paint the most famous canvases?Read the answer
In 1910s, which gave 2 of the 5 works on this page, Morning after rain among them.
Which famous Frank Wright canvas came first, and which came last?Read the answer
The earliest canvas here is The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899); the latest is Morning after rain (1912).
Which paintings by Frank Wright are held by the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki?Read the answer
The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland holds 4 of the works on this page, among them The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay, The Close of day and Morning after rain.
Where can I buy a reproduction of a Frank Wright painting?Read the answer
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered from its own page as an oil reproduction painted by hand, or as a fine art print, in the size you choose.
Meet the painter: Frank Wright
The Auckland Legacy
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.
Technical Focus and Subject Matter
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:
- Oil on canvas works depicting Maori villages and figures, such as his 1901 piece of the Tamaki Estuary.
- Watercolour studies of coastal scenes, including views of Whangarei Harbour.
- Collaborative recognition through joint exhibitions alongside his brother, Walter Wright.
Historical Standing
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.