{"product_id":"alfred-fontville-de-breanski-jr-1877-1957-lake-windermere-british-oil-landscape","title":"Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. (1877–1957) Lake Windermere British Oil Landscape","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. (1877–1957) Lake Windermere British Landscape Oil Painting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn atmospheric early 20th-century Lake District landscape, signed “A. Fontville” and further signed and titled “Lake Windermere” on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. (British, 1877–1957)\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cem\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Early 20th century\u003cbr\u003e• Oil on canvas\u003cbr\u003e• Signed “A. FONTVILLE” lower right\u003cbr\u003e• Further signed and inscribed “Lake Windermere \/ A. FONTVILLE” verso\u003cbr\u003e• Expansive Lake District landscape with cattle and a solitary figure\u003cbr\u003e• Dramatic warm evening illumination across the distant fells\u003cbr\u003e• Substantial decorative gilt frame\u003cbr\u003e• Documented UK auction provenance\u003cbr\u003e• Extensive attribution research undertaken\u003cbr\u003e• Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn evocative and luminous view of Lake Windermere by British landscape painter \u003cstrong\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. (1877–1957)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross this expansive composition, the tranquillity of Windermere is contrasted with the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. Cattle stand quietly in the shallows beside a solitary figure, while the lake leads the eye towards successive ranges of distant fells softened by atmospheric haze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principal mountain provides the painting’s dramatic focus. Its slopes catch warm evening light in passages of russet, ochre, rose and glowing orange, emerging strikingly from the cooler mauves, greens and blue-grey tones surrounding it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular significance is the artist’s signature. The painting is signed \u003cstrong\u003e“A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/strong\u003e lower right and further signed and inscribed on the reverse:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Lake Windermere\u003cbr\u003eA. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished specialist research records “A. Fontville” as an alternative signature used by Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr., providing important supporting evidence for the attribution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr.\u003cbr\u003eNationality: British\u003cbr\u003eDates: 1877–1957\u003cbr\u003eTitle: \u003cem\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDate: Early 20th century\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Oil on canvas\u003cbr\u003eSignature: Signed “A. FONTVILLE” lower right\u003cbr\u003eVerso: Further signed and inscribed “Lake Windermere \/ A. FONTVILLE”\u003cbr\u003eSubject: Lake Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England\u003cbr\u003eFrame: Substantial decorative gilt frame\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight and atmosphere provide the principal drama within this Lake District composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe immediate foreground is deliberately subdued. Rocks, reeds, grasses and vegetation establish the near shore, where cattle wade quietly through the shallow water. A solitary standing figure introduces a human presence and sense of scale while remaining subordinate to the surrounding landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond, Windermere creates a broad reflective interval before the landscape rises through successive ranges of mountains. The more distant fells are handled in restrained mauve, violet and blue-grey tonalities, allowing them gradually to dissolve into atmospheric distance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgainst these cooler passages, the principal illuminated mountain becomes the visual focus of the painting as warm evening light catches its slopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClose examination reveals considerable variation in the handling of the paint. The sky, distant landscape and areas of water are comparatively smoothly worked, whereas the illuminated mountainside, rocks, vegetation and foreground contain more vigorous broken brushwork and passages of pronounced texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis combination of naturalistic observation, atmospheric recession and heightened colour transforms the scene from a straightforward topographical view into a study of transient light across the English landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. was born in London in 1877 into an established artistic family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis father, Alfred de Breanski Sr., became particularly associated with mountainous landscapes of Scotland and Wales. His mother, Annie Roberts, was also an artist. The younger Alfred therefore grew up within an unusually concentrated artistic environment before undertaking formal study at St Martin’s School of Art in London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis subsequent development included time in France, and his mature landscapes demonstrate an increasing interest in colour, changing illumination and atmospheric effects while retaining the mountainous and waterside subjects closely associated with the de Breanski tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDe Breanski Jr. exhibited at the \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Academy\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Society of British Artists\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocumented Royal Academy exhibits include \u003cem\u003eA Cottage Garden\u003c\/em\u003e (1907), \u003cem\u003eSummer\u003c\/em\u003e (1912), \u003cem\u003eWillows\u003c\/em\u003e (1914) and \u003cem\u003eAutumn Gold\u003c\/em\u003e (1917).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis work is also represented in institutional collections. The UK Government Art Collection holds \u003cem\u003eThe Borders of Loch Fyne\u003c\/em\u003e, an oil on canvas depicting cattle within a mountainous waterside landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe “A. Fontville” Signature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe signature is an important element in the attribution of the present painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. is documented as having used several forms of signature during his career. Specialist biographical research records that, in addition to variants of the de Breanski surname, he occasionally signed paintings \u003cstrong\u003e“A. Fontville.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is particularly relevant because the present painting carries that signature clearly at lower right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn important documented comparison is \u003cem\u003eLlyn Ogwen, North Wales\u003c\/em\u003e, catalogued by Christie’s as a work by Alfred Fontville de Breanski. That painting is likewise signed \u003cstrong\u003e“A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/strong\u003e and further signed and identified on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present work follows the same significant pattern:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFront: \u003cstrong\u003e“A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReverse: \u003cstrong\u003e“Lake Windermere \/ A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther documented works demonstrate de Breanski Jr.’s broader practice of signing and identifying landscapes on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaken together, the signature, corresponding verso inscription, subject matter, technique, comparative documented works and established auction provenance provide a substantial body of evidence supporting the attribution to Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExhibition History of the Artist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. exhibited at important London venues including the Royal Academy and Royal Society of British Artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocumented Royal Academy exhibits include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1907 – \u003cem\u003eA Cottage Garden\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1912 – \u003cem\u003eSummer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1914 – \u003cem\u003eWillows\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1917 – \u003cem\u003eAutumn Gold\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exhibition history relates to the artist generally. No claim is made that the present \u003cem\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/em\u003e was itself exhibited at the Royal Academy or Royal Society of British Artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWindermere has occupied an important position within British landscape culture for generations. Its long expanse of water, surrounding fells and rapidly changing weather provide an exceptional range of atmospheric effects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the present work, architecture and obvious signs of modern life have been almost entirely removed. Instead, de Breanski concentrates upon water, mountains, cattle and illumination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe small pastoral elements provide scale, but the dominant subject remains the natural landscape and the fleeting moment when warm light strikes the distant mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, the identification of the location does not depend upon modern interpretation: the artist’s own verso inscription identifies the subject specifically as \u003cstrong\u003e“Lake Windermere.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate collection, United Kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBFA Auctioneers Ltd, trading as Bigwood Auctioneers, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon, 10 January 2025, Lot 89.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe auction house catalogued Lot 89 as a pair of oil paintings on canvas by \u003cstrong\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jnr (1877–1957)\u003c\/strong\u003e, including \u003cem\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired from the above by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall framed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 71.5 cm\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 92 cm\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 10 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanging fitting present to the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting presents well overall for its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe canvas displays age-related craquelure, variations in surface tonality and minor surface marks consistent with an antique oil painting. Areas of pronounced paint texture and broken brushwork are visible particularly across the illuminated mountain, vegetation, rocks and foreground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe substantial decorative gilt frame displays expected age-related wear, including rubbing, cracking, small decorative losses and areas of historic retouching to the gilt surface. Visible age-related cracking and separation are present to portions of the applied ornament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frame is considered complementary to the painting; no claim is made that it is conclusively the artist’s original frame without documentary evidence establishing this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition report and include detailed views of the painted surface, signature, verso, canvas, inscription and frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed painting, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional photographs and further information are available upon request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55076472062330,"sku":"k2050","price":15500.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/Windermeresunset.jpg?v=1740235793","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/en-de\/products\/alfred-fontville-de-breanski-jr-1877-1957-lake-windermere-british-oil-landscape","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}