{"product_id":"alfred-de-breanski-jr-signed-evening-lake-windermere-cattle-landscape-oil-painting","title":"Alfred de Breanski Jr Signed Evening Lake Windermere Cattle Landscape Oil Painting","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlfred de Breanski Jr Signed Lake Windermere Cattle Landscape Oil Painting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtmospheric Early 20th Century British Lake District Oil on Canvas Depicting Cattle Beside Windermere Beneath Glowing Evening Light\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. (British, 1877–1957)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Early 20th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Oil on canvas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Signed “A. FONTVILLE” lower right\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Further signed and titled verso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Cattle wading beside a solitary figure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Atmospheric Lake District mountain scenery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Dramatic russet, ochre and rose evening illumination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Substantial decorative gilt frame\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Documented Bigwood Auctioneers provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Framed 71.5 cm high x 92 cm wide x 10 cm deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Strong decorative scale and British landscape character\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Supplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn atmospheric early 20th-century British landscape by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. (1877–1957)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, depicting the tranquil waters of Lake Windermere beneath the changing light of an evening sky.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCattle stand quietly in the shallows beside a solitary figure, while the lake leads towards successive ranges of mountainous scenery softened by atmospheric distance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe principal fell catches the declining light in glowing passages of russet, ochre, orange and rose, contrasting beautifully with the cooler mauves and blue-grey tones of the surrounding landscape.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe painting combines the grandeur of the Lake District with the quiet pastoral character frequently associated with British landscape painting of the period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf particular significance is the artist’s signature. The painting is signed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e lower right and further signed and inscribed on the reverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Lake Windermere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist: Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNationality: British\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDates: 1877–1957\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitle: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate: Early 20th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedium: Oil on canvas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre: British Landscape\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignature: Signed “A. FONTVILLE” lower right\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVerso: Signed and inscribed “Lake Windermere \/ A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject: Lake Windermere, Lake District, England\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFramed Dimensions: 71.5 cm high x 92 cm wide x 10 cm deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrame: Substantial decorative gilt frame\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrevious Sale: BFA Auctioneers Ltd trading as Bigwood Auctioneers, 10 January 2025, Lot 89\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight and atmosphere provide the principal drama within this extensive Lake District composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe foreground is deliberately restrained. Dark rocks, grasses, reeds and vegetation establish the shoreline, where cattle stand quietly in the shallow water beside a solitary figure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWindermere then creates a broad reflective interval before the landscape rises through successive ranges of mountains.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe distant fells are progressively softened through cooler mauve, violet and blue-grey tones, creating a convincing sense of atmospheric recession.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAgainst these quieter passages, the principal illuminated mountain becomes the visual focus. Broken strokes of orange, russet, ochre and muted rose suggest the fleeting effect of low evening light moving across its slopes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handling of the paint varies throughout the composition. The sky, water and distant landscape are comparatively smoothly treated, while stronger textured brushwork describes the illuminated mountain, vegetation, rocks and foreground.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is a substantial British landscape in which the changing effects of natural illumination become as important as the topographical subject.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. was born in London in 1877 into an established artistic family.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis father, Alfred de Breanski Sr., became particularly associated with mountainous landscapes of Scotland and Wales, while his mother, Annie Roberts, was also an artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe younger de Breanski studied at St Martin’s School of Art before developing his own career as a landscape painter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis work frequently explores mountainous and waterside scenery together with the changing effects of natural illumination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe exhibited at the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoyal Academy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoyal Society of British Artists\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDocumented Royal Academy exhibits include \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Cottage Garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (1907), \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSummer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (1912), \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWillows\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (1914) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAutumn Gold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (1917).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis work is also represented in institutional collections, including the UK Government Art Collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe “A. Fontville” Signature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe signature provides an important element in the identification of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublished specialist research records \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“A. Fontville”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e among the signature forms used by Alfred Fontville de Breanski Jr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe present work carries this name clearly at lower right and repeats it beneath the title on the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComparative research has identified documented paintings by de Breanski Jr. that are similarly signed on the painted surface and further signed or identified verso.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParticularly relevant is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLlyn Ogwen, North Wales\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, documented by Christie’s with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“A. FONTVILLE”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e signature and further identification on the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe signature, corresponding verso inscription, subject matter, technique, comparative evidence and documented auction attribution together provide strong supporting evidence for the identification of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExhibition History of the Artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jr. exhibited at the Royal Academy and Royal Society of British Artists.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDocumented Royal Academy exhibits include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1907 – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Cottage Garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1912 – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSummer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1914 – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWillows\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1917 – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAutumn Gold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis exhibition history relates to the artist generally.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo claim is made that the present \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was itself exhibited at either institution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe identification of the location is supported directly by the artist’s own inscription on the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWindermere has long attracted landscape painters through the relationship between its extensive waters, surrounding fells and rapidly changing atmospheric conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere the cattle and solitary figure establish scale and provide quiet pastoral interest, but the dominant subjects remain water, mountains and the transformation of the landscape through light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe eye moves from the darker foreground shoreline across the broad expanse of water towards the illuminated mountain and more distant ranges beyond.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe glowing illumination across the principal fell gives the work its distinctive visual character and creates a dramatic focal point within the composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrivate collection, United Kingdom.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBFA Auctioneers Ltd, trading as Bigwood Auctioneers, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon, 10 January 2025, Lot 89.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe auction house catalogued the lot as a pair of oil paintings on canvas by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlfred Fontville de Breanski Jnr (1877–1957)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLake Windermere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcquired from the above by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall framed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: 71.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth: 92 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepth: 10 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 28.15 inches high x 36.22 inches wide x 3.94 inches deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHanging fitting present to the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe painting presents well overall for its age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe canvas displays age-related craquelure, variations in surface tonality and minor surface marks consistent with an antique oil painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAreas of textured and broken brushwork remain particularly evident across the illuminated mountain, vegetation, rocks and foreground.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe substantial decorative gilt frame displays age-related rubbing, cracking, localised decorative losses and areas of historic retouching to the gilt surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisible age-related cracking and separation are present to sections of the applied ornament.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe frame is complementary to the painting, although no claim is made that it is conclusively the artist’s original frame without documentary evidence establishing this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition report.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional photographs and further information are available upon request.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55051436753274,"sku":"k20026","price":10000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/breanski.jpg?v=1739530123","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/ga-im\/products\/alfred-de-breanski-jr-signed-evening-lake-windermere-cattle-landscape-oil-painting","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}