Bryan de grineau biography of william

Charles William Grineau (–) ( who signed his work as Bryan de Grineau, or John Bryan) was an artist known for his paintings of fast cars and steam locomotives, notably the paintings used on the covers of several issues of the Hornby Book of Trains.

Signatures

His father was the better-known artist Alfred Bryan (–). Since his father's birthname had been Charles Grineau, and his parents had also (slightly thoughtlessly) called him Charles Grineau, too, the younger Charles probably felt that using a different signing-name was a good idea (and since his father had also signed his work under a nom de plume, there was a family precedent).

This left the problem of what name to use. The name John Bryan had continuity with his father's art signature of Alfred Bryan, and Bryan de Grineau combined both his father's birth surname and his "signing" surname.

Charles William Grineau, known as ‘Alfred Bryan’ ()

One of the most outstanding cartoonists of the late nineteenth century, Alfred Bryan was particularly admired by Max Beerbohm. He began his career in the carly s, working for Judy as both political cartoonist and theatrical caricaturist. He then contributed to Ally Sloper's Half-Holiday, which was founded in in order to develop the most potent of Judy's characters. His best known work comprised theatrical caricatures for Entr'Acte, weekly cartoons as 'our Captious Critic' for the Illustrated and Sporting News, and political cartoons as Chief Cartoonist of Moonshine. He also contributed to the Hornet, the Idler and the Christmas number of the World, and illustrated a number of sheet-music covers. His son was the painter and printmaker Bryan de Grineau, and he numbered James Aleck Shepherd among his pupils. He died in London on 17 May

His work is represented in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Brighton Art Gallery.

Bryan de Grineau original cartoon artwork

Bryan de Grineau was born Charles William Grineau and was the son of a well known illustrator and caricaturist Charles Grineau, who used the pseudonym Alfred Bryan. At the age of t25 de Grineau who had studied art under his father gained his commission through an automotive magazine, The Motor at the French Grand Prix at Dieppe. The early pen and ink drawings of de Grineau were very similar to that of his father and resembled the printing processes of the time. Most magazine illustrators had graduated from line engraving and wood block technique. During the First World War, de Grineau served as Captain and Adjutant in the 41st Brigade Royal Field Artillery and sent home vivid sketches from the front for the Illustrated London News and the Illustrated War News. After the War de Grineau produced work for postcards, posters, race programmes, car manufacturers’ advertising and sales brochures. He would later reprise this role during the Second World War where he was the special correspondent for Illustrated London News and later became an official War Artist for the government. A issue of Life magazine featur

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