A superb painting of a sunset over a Highland loch by Alfred de Breanski Snr. Cattle can be seen taking to the water whilst the rest of the herd grazes on the nearby bank. To the bottom left, an aquatic bird breaks away from its flock to land on the lake as the sun begins to set.

Alfred de Breanski was a landscape painter born in the St Pancras area of London, the eldest son of Leopold de Breanski, a language professor and his wife Eugenie who were both from France. His brother Gustave and his sister Julie were also talented artists. The family settled in Greenwich from where Breanski began his artistic career as a landscape painter and would go on frequent visits to the scenic areas of Britain and Wales. His work was highly accomplished for his age and he started showing his paintings at provincial fine art exhibitions including those held at St Andrews Hall, Norfolk in 1871.

He made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1872 where his works were favourably received, exhibiting there until 1918. He also exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Cambrian Academy. Other exhibitions included the Bristol Fine Arts Academy, Walker Art Gallery, Crystal Palace Galleries, Dudley Gallery and Arthur Tooth & Sons. On 2 July, 1873 he married the Welsh artist Annie Roberts at Llantysilio, whom he met on one of his painting trips. Together they had seven children and two of his sons, Alfred Fontville Breanski (1877- 1957) and Arthur Breanski also became artists. From 1873, he lived in Lewisham at Llantysilio House and then 6, Lime Villas until 1879 when the family moved to Hedsor View in Cookham, Berkshire.

By the late 1880’s Breanski had moved back to the capital, eventually returning to the Greenwich area where he kept a studio at his home in Luton Place. Although Breanski lived most of his life in London, he travelled around the country painting dramatic views, particularly of the Scottish Highlands and Wales as well as the Lake District, Thames valley and Kent. His works were highly praised by art critics and he enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime, allowing him to become a property owner. He was elected member of the Royal Cambrian Academy in 1884 and became a member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1890. A special exhibition of his work was held by Frost and Reed in 1897. He died in Dartford in 1928.

He is regarded as one of England’s most accomplished landscape and many examples of his paintings are held museums and galleries including the Ferens Art Gallery, Glasgow Museum, Grosvenor Museum, Hartlepool Museum, Laing Art Gallery, Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, Paisley Museum, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery, Sheffield Museum, Southampton City Art Gallery and Torre Abbey Museum.

© Benton Fine Art