Artist's Biography
Alfred de Breanski was a distinguished landscape artist who became famous for his poetic views of the Welsh and Scottish Highlands. He also painted many views of the Thames. Often bathed in a flood of golden light, these landscapes usually feature water and cattle or sheep on grassy banks sometimes with a solitary figure in the distance.
Born in London, Alfred was the eldest son of Leopold de Breanski, his younger brother and sister, Gustave and Julia, were also painters. He made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1872 and continued to exhibit there until 1918. He also exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Cambrian Society. His many patrons included Sir James Lemon and the Bishop of Peterborough, who purchased the first picture that he exhibited at the Royal Academy which was entitled Evening, Softly falls the even light.
In 1873, Breanski married Annie Roberts, a talented Welsh artist whom he met during his frequent painting trips to Wales. They had seven children, two of which, Alfred Fontville and Arthur, were both to become painters. For much of his life Breanski lived in Greenwich, Lewisham and Cookham and in 1880 he became a Freeman of the City of London.
The work of Breanski is represented in many museums including the Southampton Art Gallery and the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
“