Artist, draughtsman and teacher, born in 1891 in Ukraine. At just a few weeks old his family moved to England and he was brought up in Liverpool, where he attended the School of Art in 1906. Winning several scholarships and the King’s Medal, he went on to study at the Royal College of Art, the Académie Julian in Paris and finally the Slade School of Fine Art, 1912–13. His work is held in many public collections round the country. He was the father of the artist Philip Meninsky.
Bernard Meninsky (1891-1950), Sweet William and Peonies,
Canvas (unlined)
24 x 18 in (61 x 46 cm)
Signed
Collections: T.W. Spurr and son, Southport where purchased in 1933 by Wyndham T. Vine, Bradford and thence by descent to the present day
Exhibited: British Institute of Adult Education (catalogue not traced)
Meninsky was born in the Ukraine coming to England early in his childhood. He studied at The Royal College of Art, The Academie Julian in Paris and subsequently The Slade. He taught at The Central School of Art from 1913-1940 and saw active service in Palestine during The First World War. Troubled throughout his life by mental illness he committed suicide. Meninsky is central to the great generation of 20th Century Anglo -Jewish artists such as Bomberg, Gertler and Kramer. This exuberant still life in superb condition is a reminder that many of his obituarists refer to his ‘Fauve palette’ and this picture is close to the work of his fellow Francophile Matthew Smith.