Sentinels

Storey was born in London and partly educated in Paris where he studied under Dulong. On his return to London in 1850 he worked briefly for an architect before studying at J M Leigh’s school. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1852 and studied at the Royal Academy schools from 1854. His early work was strongly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites but gradually he changed his style, becoming well known as both a subject painter and for his portraits. He lived in St John’s Wood and later in Hampstead and was a member of a convivial group of artists known as the St John’s Wood Clique. This informal brotherhood of like-minded friends included Philip Hermogenes Calderon, George Dunlop Leslie, Henry Stacy Marks, John Evans Hodgson, William Frederick Yeames and David Wilkie Wynfield. Known for their love of amateur dramatics and practical jokes their jovial company frequently extended to include many other artists of the day. The core of the group held weekly meetings at their homes, to draw together, discuss art, gossip and to generally exchange ideas. They often spent summers together, either staying in one another’s country houses, in the homes of their friends or occasionally renting properties. A favourite and memorable rental was Hever Castle in Kent, which provided the interior settings for several of their pictures. Storey was elected as an Associate member of the Royal Academy in 1875 and was and member of the Arts Club form 1874-95. He also exhibited at the British Institution, Royal Society of British Artists and Royal Watercolour Society. From 1900 he was Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy and became a full member in 1914. Works by him are in the collection of the Tate Gallery and in many other public collections. In 1899 he published his autobiography Sketches from Memory and the present work appears as an illustration in his recollection of is stay in Paris during the Revolution of 1848.