Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 62 works by Bernard Meninsky in our catalogue
Summary
According to this ranking, The Red Hat (Margaret Meninsky) (1919) is the most famous painting by Bernard Meninsky; the Ferens Art Gallery, Hull, holds it. It is followed by Portrait of a Girl (1916) and Portrait of a Boy (1917). This list draws on the 62 works by Bernard Meninsky in the catalogue and records the 62 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.
In the quiet intimacy of The Red Hat, painted in 1919, we are invited into a world that feels both profoundly personal and timelessly poised. Bernard Meninsky, an artist whose life was shaped by the shifting shadows of early 20th-century Europe, captures here more than just a seated figure; he captures a breath held in time. The focal point is a woman, her presence commanding yet contemplative, draped in the…
The Portrait of a Boy by Bernard Meninsky, created in 1923, is a masterpiece that exudes an aura of serenity and contemplation. This oil on canvas painting measures 91 x 71 cm and is a testament to Meninsky's skillful brushwork and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Composition and Details The boy in the portrait sits on a wooden chair, which dominates the scene, stretching from the…
In the quietude of 1942, amidst a world convulsed by the tremors of global conflict, Bernard Meninsky captured a moment of profound stillness. His Portrait of a Girl serves as a poignant sanctuary of introspection, inviting the viewer into a private, contemplative space. The subject, a young woman with cascading locks, is caught in a downward gaze, her eyes averted from the observer to focus on something unseen—perhaps her own…
In the quiet, evocative realm of Bernard Meninsky’s 1913 work, Two Women and Child, we are invited into a moment of profound intimacy that transcends the mere depiction of figures. This finely executed drawing serves as a poignant window into the artist's early mastery, capturing a scene that feels both timeless and deeply personal. The composition centers on two women standing in close proximity, their presence anchored by the delicate…
Standing Female NudeBen Uri Gallery and Museum
12
Lilies1917 · The Hepworth Wakefield
13
On the Departure Platform, Victoria Station1918
14
Lady in Red1922
15
The Platform Canteen, Victoria Station1918
16
The Arrival1918
17
The Arrival of a Leave Train, Victoria Station, 19181919
18
Victoria Station, District Railway1918
19
Portrait of a Girl (The Artist's Sister)1919 · The Stanley - Audrey Burton Gallery
20
Beech Trees1921 · Somerville College
21
Still Life1921 · The Mercer Art Gallery
22
Still Life with Yellow Bowl and Fruit1920 · Nottingham Castle Museum And Art Gallery
23
Boy with a Cat1925
24
Seated Nude1924
25
Girl with a Book1924 · Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
26
View on the Oxford Canal1924 · Somerville College
27
Hillside in Cumberland1924 · Somerville College
28
Trees1924 · Somerville College
29
View across Radcliffe House Garden1924 · Somerville College
30
Portrait of a Young Jewess1928
31
Mother and Child1930 · Jerwood Gallery
32
Cookham Dean, Berkshire1930
33
Toddler1938
34
Elsie Farleigh (1900–1981)1934 · Walker Art Gallery
35
Andalusian Landscape1937 · Arts Council Collection
36
On the Beach, Spanish Bathers1936 · Pallant House Gallery
37
Irish Peasants1940 · Jerwood Gallery
38
Sleeping Woman in a Landscape1945
39
Figure in a Landscape1948 · Central Saint Martins College of Arts And Design
40
Torremolinos, South of Spain1947 · Ben Uri Gallery and Museum
41
Pears in a Bowl1947 · Reading Museum - Town Hall
42
The Bathers1948 · Walker Art Gallery
43
Landscape1923 · Walker Art Gallery
44
Standing Female Nude in a Landscape
45
Female Nude, Back ViewBen Uri Gallery and Museum
46
Italian LandscapeSomerville College
47
BathersThe Ashmolean Museum of Art And Archaeology
48
Still Life, Fruit
49
The Fruit Gatherers
50
Portrait af a WomanAbbot Hall Art Gallery
51
Helen Darbishire, CBE, MA (1881–1961), Governor of the Froebel Educational Institute (1932–1961)Froebel College
52
Figures in a Landscape
53
LandscapeTowner
54
Still Life, Onions and LeeksBen Uri Gallery - Museum
55
Still Life with Apples
56
Woman with a Basket of Fruit
57
Flowers in a Pot
58
Study of Trees1924 · Somerville College
59
John Banting1924 · National Portrait Gallery
60
Mother and Child1919 · The Stanley - Audrey Burton Gallery
61
Still Life with Apples1927 · Nottingham Castle Museum And Art Gallery
62
Mother and Child
The four subjects most frequently represented among these works, each with its best-known example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Bernard Meninsky | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Somerville College |
Oxford | 7 | Beech Trees, View on the Oxford Canal, Hillside in Cumberland |
 Ben Uri Gallery and Museum |
London | 4 | Two Women and Child, Standing Female Nude, Torremolinos, South of Spain |
 Walker Art Gallery |
Liverpool | 3 | Elsie Farleigh (1900–1981), The Bathers, Landscape |
 The Hepworth Wakefield |
Wakefield | 2 | Portrait of a Boy, Lilies |
 Arts Council Collection |
London | 2 | Portrait of a Girl, Andalusian Landscape |
 The Stanley - Audrey Burton Gallery |
Leeds | 2 | Portrait of a Girl (The Artist's Sister), Mother and Child |
 Nottingham Castle Museum And Art Gallery |
Nottingham | 2 | Still Life with Yellow Bowl and Fruit, Still Life with Apples |
 Jerwood Gallery |
Hastings | 2 | Mother and Child, Irish Peasants |
Select a decade to display its principal painting.
In the quiet intimacy of The Red Hat, painted in 1919, we are invited into a world that feels both profoundly personal and timelessly poised. Bernard Meninsky, an artist whose life was shaped by the shifting shadows of early 20th-century Europe, captures here more than just a seated figure; he captures a breath held in time. The focal point is a woman, her presence commanding yet contemplative, draped in the…
The Portrait of a Boy by Bernard Meninsky, created in 1923, is a masterpiece that exudes an aura of serenity and contemplation. This oil on canvas painting measures 91 x 71 cm and is a testament to Meninsky's skillful brushwork and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Composition and Details The boy in the portrait sits on a wooden chair, which dominates the scene, stretching from the…
In the quietude of 1942, amidst a world convulsed by the tremors of global conflict, Bernard Meninsky captured a moment of profound stillness. His Portrait of a Girl serves as a poignant sanctuary of introspection, inviting the viewer into a private, contemplative space. The subject, a young woman with cascading locks, is caught in a downward gaze, her eyes averted from the observer to focus on something unseen—perhaps her own…
The Red Hat (Margaret Meninsky) (1919), Ferens Art Gallery, Hull. The following entries are Portrait of a Girl (1916) and Portrait of a Boy (1917).
28 years: Bernard Meninsky was born in 1891 and The Red Hat (Margaret Meninsky) is dated 1919.
The Red Hat (Margaret Meninsky), Portrait of a Girl, Portrait of a Boy, Sketch of Soldiers Arriving on Leave, Portrait, Portrait of a Boy, Portrait of a Girl, Two Women and Child, Robin and The Woman's Head. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.
The catalogue records 62 works by Bernard Meninsky, dated between 1913 and 1948.
Principally in Somerville College (Oxford), Ben Uri Gallery and Museum (London) and Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool). The museum table above gives the full distribution.
In 1920s: 17 of the 62 works listed on this page are dated to that period, including Portrait of a Boy.
The earliest dated work listed here is Two Women and Child (1913); the latest is Figure in a Landscape (1948).
Portrait (5), Reflection (3) and Victorian era (2), out of the 62 works listed on this page.
Oil, in 3 of the 62 works listed on this page.
Post-impressionism and Contemporary realism, as documented by the works on this page.
Beech Trees, View on the Oxford Canal and Hillside in Cumberland are among the 7 works on this page in the collection of the Somerville College, Oxford.
Yes. Each work listed on this page can be ordered from its own entry as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in a size of your choice.
Born in Konotop, Ukraine – a place steeped in both Ukrainian and Yiddish heritage – Bernard Meninsky’s artistic journey began far from the bustling art centers of London. His early life, marked by a swift move to Liverpool with his family, laid the foundation for an artist deeply attuned to human emotion and the quiet dignity of everyday moments. Despite leaving formal education at eleven, a remarkable talent for drawing quickly surfaced, leading to scholarships that propelled him towards the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in 1912. This pivotal period wasn’t merely about technical training; it was a transformative immersion into the burgeoning world of modern art, profoundly influenced by figures like Walter Sickert and Henry Tonks, while simultaneously challenging the established norms championed by Roger Fry.
The Slade's rejection of avant-garde movements – particularly Cubism – shaped Meninsky’s approach. He didn’t immediately embrace radical experimentation but instead developed a distinctive style characterized by evocative figures, poignant landscapes, and above all, his deeply moving ‘Mother and Child’ scenes. These works, imbued with a sense of melancholy and quiet strength, became the hallmark of his oeuvre. His time at the school fostered connections that would prove invaluable throughout his career, including a lifelong friendship with William Roberts and mentorship from Walter Sickert, who provided a crucial platform for his work.
World War I irrevocably altered Meninsky's trajectory. Enlisting in the Royal Fusiliers in 1918, he transitioned into a war artist under the British War Memorials Committee, documenting the realities of conflict with unflinching honesty and sensitivity. His wartime paintings – particularly ‘The Arrival of a Leave Train, Victoria Station’ – offer a powerful glimpse into the lives of returning soldiers, capturing their weariness, longing, and quiet resilience. These works weren't simply depictions of battle; they were intimate portraits of human experience amidst devastation. Meninsky’s commitment to this role extended beyond mere observation; he sought to convey the emotional weight of the war, reflecting a profound empathy for those affected by it.
Following the war, Meninsky continued his teaching career at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, nurturing a new generation of artists. His dedication to instruction was matched by an unwavering belief in the power of art to illuminate the human condition. His work during this period reflected a shift towards greater introspection, with a focus on domestic scenes and familial relationships – particularly his celebrated ‘Mother and Child’ series. These paintings, rendered in muted tones and imbued with a sense of quiet intimacy, became increasingly central to his artistic identity.
Meninsky's style is often described as Post-Impressionist, yet he developed a unique voice that transcended simple categorization. He absorbed the bold colors and expressive brushwork of artists like Cézanne and Van Gogh, but tempered them with a distinctly British sensibility. His landscapes are characterized by atmospheric perspective and a subtle use of color, while his figures possess a remarkable sense of realism combined with emotional depth. The influence of Walter Sickert is particularly evident in Meninsky’s use of light and shadow, as well as his ability to capture the mood and atmosphere of a scene.
The impact of his wartime experiences undoubtedly shaped his artistic vision. The trauma of war instilled in him a deep appreciation for the fragility of life and the importance of human connection. This sensitivity is powerfully conveyed in his ‘Mother and Child’ paintings, which are not merely sentimental depictions but rather profound meditations on motherhood, loss, and hope. His work stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to bear witness to history and explore the complexities of the human spirit.
Bernard Meninsky's legacy extends beyond his individual paintings. He was a significant figure in the London Group and contributed to the development of British modernism. His work continues to resonate with viewers today, offering a poignant reminder of the enduring power of art to capture the human experience. The Imperial War Museum holds a substantial collection of his wartime works, ensuring that his powerful depictions of conflict will continue to be studied and appreciated for generations to come. His dedication to teaching also left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of Britain, shaping the careers of countless aspiring artists.
