Born in London, Alfred was the eldest son of Leopold Bréanski; his younger brother and sister, Gustave and Julie, were also painters. He made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1872 and he continued to exhibit there until 1918. He also exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Cambrian Academy. His many patrons included Sir James Lemon and the Bishop of Peterborough, who purchased the first picture that he exhibited at the Royal Academy “Evening: Softly falls the even light”.
In 1873, Bréanski married Annie Roberts, a talented Welsh artist whom he met during his frequent painting trips to Wales. They had seven children, two of which, Alfred Fontville and Arthur, were both to become painters. For much of his life Bréanski lived in Greenwich, Lewisham and Cookham and in 1880 he became a Freeman of the City of London.
Breanski went on to exhibit his works at the Royal Academy in London from 1872 until 1918. Today, his works are in the collections of the Southampton City Art Gallery, the Lang Art Gallery, and the Brighton & Hove Museums. De Breanski died in 1928 in London, England.
