Lot 90: George Lawerence Bulleid A.R.W.S. (British, 1858-1933)

The Annunciation
signed 'G Lawrence Bulleid' and dated 'MCMIII' (1903), bears inscription on exhibition label verso
watercolour
57.1 x 86.3 cm. (22 1/2 x 34 in.)

Provenance:
G. L. Bulleid.
By direct descent to the artist's grandson.

George Lawrence Bulleid was born in Glastonbury, the son of a local solicitor. He studied at the West London School of Art in Great Titchfield Street from 1888-89 and later at Heatherley's Art School in Chelsea.

He established a studio at Bolton Gardens, South Kensington where he shared the premises with two other artists who were working in the classicist tradition; John William Godward (1861-1922) and Henry Ryland (1856-1924). The three became friends and the influence on each other's work is easily seen. Bulleid was elected A.R.W.S. in 1889 and by the end of his painting career had exhibited 113 works at the R.W.S., he also exhibited 14 works at the Royal Academy from 1888 to 1913.

Bulleid is one of the finest exponents of the Classicist or Graeco-Roman style that was first expressed by Frederick, Lord Leighton (1830-1896) and Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912). His work, largely executed in watercolour, is finely detailed in the best Pre-Raphaelite tradition and combines the elegance of the subject with an adroit handling of his preferred medium.