Lot Essay
William Breakspeare began his career as a student in Paris where he came under the influence of Thomas Couture. The first paintings that he chose to exhibit were generally of French subject matter such as Une Petite Blauchisseuse (Royal Society of British Artists, 1882) and Une Merchante Enfant (RSBA, 1883). He also spent some time travelling in Italy producing a number of works in and around Venice.
On returning to London Breakspeare concentrated on painting eighteenth century costume pieces and historical genre for which he is best known. The Cavaliers Toast was sold in these Rooms on 25 July 1986, lot 257. He was a foundation member of the Birmingham Art Circle through which he met a number of artists associated with the Newlyn School in Cornwall. A Stranger in the Village shows close affinites to the Newlyn ethic painted in a strong realist style with muted colour. He was later to become a member of the group. Breakspeare exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1891 and 1903, also at the Grosvenor Gallery and Suffolk Street.
On returning to London Breakspeare concentrated on painting eighteenth century costume pieces and historical genre for which he is best known. The Cavaliers Toast was sold in these Rooms on 25 July 1986, lot 257. He was a foundation member of the Birmingham Art Circle through which he met a number of artists associated with the Newlyn School in Cornwall. A Stranger in the Village shows close affinites to the Newlyn ethic painted in a strong realist style with muted colour. He was later to become a member of the group. Breakspeare exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1891 and 1903, also at the Grosvenor Gallery and Suffolk Street.