Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 5 works by Frank Wright in our catalogue
In short
The Frank Wright painting most people know is The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899), and you can see it at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland. Right after it come The Close of day (1909) and Morning after rain (1912). Out of 5 works by Frank Wright in our catalogue, these 5 are the best known. Each one comes with its year, its museum and a short note on what makes it stand out.
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 |
Pick a decade to see its standout piece.
Top of the list is The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899), Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland. Right behind it: The Close of day (1909) and Morning after rain (1912).
39 years old. Frank Wright was born in 1860, and The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay dates from 1899.
We have 5 works by Frank Wright in our catalogue, dated 1899 to 1912.
You'll find most of them in Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki (Auckland) and Te Whare O Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. The museum list above has the full breakdown.
In 1910s, more than any other time: 2 of the 5 pieces on this page date from then, Morning after rain among them.
The earliest piece here is The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay (1899); the most recent is Morning after rain (1912).
You can see 4 of the pieces on this page at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland, including The Mill Valley, Karekare Bay, The Close of day and Morning after rain.
Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.
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.
