Alfred Bryan (1852–17 May 1899) (born as Charles Grineau) was a popular English illustrator, known for his contributions to many leading London-based weekly magazines.
He was born as Charles Grineau in Marylebone in London in 1852,Although his father's name appears in the records as Grinoneau, Charles appears as Grineau in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915. It is possible that his French-born father was Anglicising and simplifying the family name the eldest of five children of Helen née Riddle (1818-1860)Marriage certificate 1843 and William Henry GrinoneauCharles's father appeared in official documents, including his marriage certificate as Grinoneau. (1829-1902), a baker. Bryan's first professional sketches were published in The Hornet (formerly The Hornsey Hornet). He also produced sketches for The London Figaro.Forbes, Frank 'A Chat with Alfred Bryan The Temple Magazine (1898) Bryan worked for the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News for most of his career and was also published in periodicals such as the theatrical review Entr'acte, Moonshine (the self-styled 'Best Topical Comic Paper'), Judy magazine. Walter Sickert, a contemporary art critic, described him as "the complete, trained draughtsman", praising his illustrations as "[...]unfaltering in their mastery of line, their perfect style, their elegance and wit."Walter Sickert, The Complete Writings on Art, Oxford, 2003
In the 1880s, Bryan lived in Connaught Road, Stroud Green moving in his final years to Endymion Road, Harringay in North London Kelly's Directories and electoral registers for Hornsey and Hornsey and Finsbury Park Journal, 27 May 1899. where he died in May 1899 and was buried in New Southgate Cemetery, in Barnet, North London. He left an estate valued at £2,309 9s 9d.Charles Grineau in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
One of his four children was Charles William Grineau (1883–1957), an artist known for his paintings of motorcars under the pseudonyms Bryan de Grineau and John Bryan.
Gallery
References External links
Bryan on the National Portrait Gallery website