Edward Frederick Brewtnall R.W.S. R.B.A 1846-1902. English School 19th.Century. Oil sketch on Reeves Board. Initialled lower left. Pencil inscription to reverse "Storm, EF Brewtnall" Label with artist's details and subject description, Lear Act III Scene 4 The Heath. Provenance: By repute Sir Henry Irving, Private Collection UK. 35.3 by 24.1 cms.
Brewtnall was born in London in 1846. He studied at the Lambeth School of Art. He began exhibiting from 1868, at The Royal Academy, The Society of British Artists, The Grosvenor Gallery and the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) - he was made a full member of the latter in 1883. He was also a member of the Royal Society of BritishArtists (RBA) and The Royal Institute of Artists (ROI).
Sir Henry Irving 1838-1905 arguably the foremost Actor of his generation, portrayed King Lear at the Lyceum Theatre London throughout 1892 to much critical acclaim. The present work possibly inspired by Irving's performance comes from a Private Collection of Theatrical items, traditionally held to originally have been owned by Irving.