‘Drawing is key to Tony Bream’s art, giving strength to his impressionistic watercolours and paintings as well as to the work in charcoal. His views of Petra are particularly impressive, and in one of them, the crags above the Bab-es-Siq, he takes on two illustrious predecessors, Bomberg and Roberts – and wins. Where Roberts elongates for picturesque appeal, and Bomberg loses structure in colouring, Bream gives us the power of looming desert rocks. Some of the Jerusalem watercolours make a respectful nod to Sargent, others invoke H. B. Brabazon, that most professional amateur, but whatever the heritage he absorbs, they are quintessential Bream.’
Huon Mallalieu
