Items Similar to William Arthur Breakspeare RBA RBSA ROI, The Captain Of The Guard
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13
William Arthur BreakspeareWilliam Arthur Breakspeare RBA RBSA ROI, The Captain Of The Guardc. 1900
c. 1900
About the Item
This early 20th-century oil painting by British artist William Arthur Breakspeare RBA RBSA ROI (1855-1914) depicts an upstanding self-assured cavalier with his arms folded.
Breakspeare was a distinguished painter of figures, genre scenes and portraits. Hailing from Birmingham, his cunning observational humour became a trademark characteristic of his finely rendered works. From an early age, young Breakspeare was surrounded by creative endeavour. His father, John Breakspeare, was employed as a ‘japanner’, which involved applying a Japanese-style finish to furniture or metalwork. Undoubtedly, he helped his son to develop a keen eye for detail and hone his draughtsmanship.
During his formal education, he received numerous awards, including at least two national prizes for life studies. These were impressive achievements and indicated his emerging talent for drawing. A work from 1872, ‘Waiting For Her Lover’ demonstrates his advanced handling of posture and colour. It depicts a young continental lady resting her left elbow on a mossy bank at the edge of a wood while gazing wistfully into the yonder. She’s been there for an eternity and her expression speaks of quiet resignation. It’s rendered finely akin to a tale of exalted romance yet carries a sharp wit. The edges are softened, yet the message is direct.
This blending of precise lines, radiant colours and subtle humour underpins many of Breakspeare’s works. His subjects are playful and often appeal on two levels. When he describes courtship, his women are all-knowing rather than subservient. Radiant ladies look towards the viewer with a raised eyebrow, while gentlemen flounder, besotted, and confused. One can imagine such works decorating the windows of high-end London galleries, popular with female buyers.
Perhaps the only males to get off lightly were burly, chest-out, cavaliers, dressed to the nines in sparkling doublets and breeches. He produced various self-portraits dressed in this manner so probably owned the outfits. Although, even his cavaliers carried a certain ‘tongue-in-cheek’ humour. Examine their expressions and you might discover conceit and an inflated ego.
During the late 1870s, he moved to Belgium to study at Charles Verlat's Academy in Antwerp. Verlat was a master - producing exquisitely detailed scenes and Royal commissions. He also spent time in Paris and became influenced by Thomas Couture (1815-1879).
A sociable character, he ultimately settled in London and lived at the famous Mall Studios in Hampstead for many years. He was good friends with Edwin Harris (1855-1906), a fellow ‘Brummie’, and one can imagine the anecdotes extending well into the night.
William Arthur Breakspeare exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Scottish Academy and regularly at the Royal Society of Artists in Birmingham where he was a member. He’s represented at the Ashmolean Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery.
Signed in the lower left and held within a gilt frame, which is probably original.
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Artist’s auction maximum: £26,000 for ‘A Stranger in the Village’, Oil on canvas, Christie’s, Fine Victorian Pictures, Drawings And Watercolours, London, 1995 (lot 376).
- Creator:William Arthur Breakspeare (British)
- Creation Year:c. 1900
- Dimensions:Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned.
- Gallery Location:Cheltenham, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2328214375012
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2017
1stDibs seller since 2023
134 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cheltenham, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Robert Walker Macbeth RA ROI RWS, Far From The Madding CrowdLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis spellbinding late 19th-century oil painting by Scottish artist Robert Walker Macbeth RA ROI RWS (1848-1910) depicts a young woman wearing...Category
1880s Victorian Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait Of A Girl Before A MirrorLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis early 20th-century oil painting by Spanish artist César Fernández Ardavín (1883-1974) depicts a cheerful young woman before a mirror. Buoyant and playful, she sits casually on ...Category
1940s Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Sam Uhrdin, The Twilight ViewBy Sam UhrdinLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis beautiful mid-20th-century oil painting by Swedish artist Sam Uhrdin (1886-1964) depicts a woman playing the guitar in a gently lit room at twilight. Bathed in a warm radiance ...Category
1950s Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Robert Thorburn Ross RSA, Carding, Oil PaintingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis mid-19th-century oil painting by Scottish artist Robert Thorburn Ross RSA (1816-1876) depicts a seated woman carding wool within a rustic interior. Robert Thorburn Ross RSA was...Category
1850s Victorian Interior Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Pietro Krohn (Attributed), Interior With Woman Knitting, Oil PaintingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis late 19th-century oil painting attributed to Danish artist Pietro Krohn (1840-1905) depicts a gently lit interior with a woman knitting before a statue of the Venus de Milo. It’...Category
1870s Victorian Interior Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Bror Kronstrand, Portrait Of Brita Söderberg, Oil PaintingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis charming portrait by Bror Kronstrand (1875-1950) depicts Brita Söderberg (nee Browall) wearing a light blue blouse with a white hat, ribbon and flower. She was 20 at the time. ...Category
Early 20th Century Academic Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
You May Also Like
- Late 19th century Portrait of a young boy in a Summer landscape with flowersLocated in Woodbury, CTEva Roos, née Vedder was an artist and illustrator, mainly of children's books. She is believed to have lived and worked in the Hampstead area of London in the late 19th and early 20...Category
1890s Victorian Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Mid Victorian Portrait of a Lady Seated in a Chair Original 19th Century OilLocated in Cirencester, GloucestershirePortrait of a Seated Lady English School, mid 19th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 16 x 13 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: good and sound conditionCategory
Mid-19th Century Victorian Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Large 19th Century French Portrait of Lady with Roses & Smart Dress oil paintingLocated in Cirencester, GloucestershirePortrait of a Lady French School, 19th century oil on canvas, framed framed: 34 x 29 inches canvas: 30 x 25 inches provenance: private collection, France condition: very good and sou...Category
19th Century Victorian Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Late 19th Century genre portrait oil painting of a boy holding a lanternBy Charles SpencelayhLocated in Nr Broadway, WorcestershireCharles Spencelayh British, (1865-1958) The Lantern Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 13.5 inches x 9.75 inches Size including frame: 20.25 inches ...Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Early 19th Century genre oil painting of a boy playing a fluteLocated in Nr Broadway, WorcestershireAttributed to Thomas Barker of Bath British, (1769-1847) Boy with Flute Oil on canvas Image size: 17.5 inches x 13.5 inches Size including frame: 26.75...Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Victorian 19th century portrait of an seated English Flower SellerLocated in Woodbury, CTVictorian 19th-century portrait of a seated English Flower Seller. This is a very pretty classic English Victorian Genre painting. The style ...Category
1850s Victorian Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
