Oil Painting » List of Painters » Alfred Edward East

EARLY DAYS:

    Sir Alfred Edward East (1844-1913) was an English landscape painter and etcher who was among the first to take up painting in the Idyllic style of the Newlyn School. East was a prolific and highly influential artist who had a profound influence on the development of British landscape painting, particularly in the early days of the Newlyn School.

East was born in London, the son of a cabinet maker, and from an early age he exhibited a passion for art. He first studied art at the Lambeth School of Art and then moved to the Royal Academy of Arts, where he was tutored by Sir John Everett Millais. After graduating in 1867, East began to make a name for himself as an etcherand landscape painter. His works were exhibited in the Royal Academy and at the Dudley Gallery in London.

East's early paintings were strongly influenced by the Barbizon School of French landscape painters, which had a strong influence on the British art scene in the late 19th century. East's paintings often featured trees, streams and rolling hills, often with a hint of a distant sea. His use of light and shade was masterful, and his compositions were often quite daring.

East was particularly fond of painting in the area around Newlyn and St Ives, in Cornwall, where he had moved in 1883. He quickly became part of the Newlyn School, which had started to develop in the late 1870s. East's influence on the school was considerable, as he helped to establish the principles of naturalistic painting that were to become its hallmark.

East's works during this period were heavily influenced by the Impressionists, such as Monet and Renoir, and his palette became increasingly vibrant. He was particularly fond of painting in the open air, and his sketches of the Cornish landscapes were particularly admired.

East was also a prolific etcher, and his etchings were particularly admired. His etchings of the Cornish landscape were especially popular, and he was one of the first British etchers to make use of the new technique of mezzotint.

East's works continued to be widely admired throughout his lifetime, and he was elected to the Royal Academy in 1895. He was especially successful in America, where his works were much sought after. He died in 1913, but his influence on the development of British landscape painting continued to be felt long after his death.

Personal Details

Name	Alfred Edward East
Place of birth	Kettering, Northamptonshires
Date of Birth	December 15, 1844
Date of Death	September 28, 1913
Nationality	English
Field	Painting
Training	Glasgow School of Art
Popular Works	Lake in Autumn,The Fiesta

CAREER:

     East's first exhibit at the Royal Academy was in 1864, and he continued to exhibit there until 1913. He also exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery, the New Watercolour Society, and elsewhere. In 1876, he was elected a full member of the Royal Academy. He was also a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers.

East's early paintings are noted for their Pre-Raphaelite influence, with their detailed and intricate brush strokes and vivid colors. He was particularly noted for his landscapes, which often featured ancient ruins, rolling hills and forests, and the sea. He was a master of light and atmosphere, and often painted scenes lit up by the sun or moonlight.

East was a prolific etcher as well. He often used etching to capture the fleeting effects of light and movement, particularly in his marine and coastal scenes. He was also known for his cityscapes, which often featured the streets and buildings of London, Liverpool, and other cities in England.

East's career was marked by several travels, including a trip to Holland in 1866, where he painted a series of landscapes and seascapes. He later traveled to Spain and Morocco, and made several trips to Italy to paint, sketch and photograph. He also traveled to the United States, where he exhibited his works at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876.

East's works were highly acclaimed and widely exhibited. He was awarded a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889, and in 1891 he was elected an Honorary Member of the Royal Society of British Artists. He also received numerous other honors and awards.

East died in 1913, leaving behind a large body of work that has been highly influential on later generations of painters. His works are in the permanent collections of numerous galleries and museums, including the Tate Gallery in London.

WORKS OF ALFRED EDWARD EAST: