Storey, G. A. (George Adolphus), 1834-1919

George Adolphus Storey, R.A. (1834–1919), prolific painter of portraits and historical genre pictures, was a long-time teacher of perspective at the Royal Academy of Art in London. He is best known for his book, The Theory and Practice of Perspective , which remains in print almost a century after its publication in 1910, and his participation in the St. John’s Wood Clique, a group of artists whose activities, aims, and ideals were loosely modeled on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Storey was born on January 7, 1834, and showed an early affinity for art. In 1848, at age 14, he joined his brother, William Storey, in Paris to complete his education and to study painting with Jean Louis Dulong. While there, he witnessed the Revolution of 1848, including being present at the sacking of the Palace apartments. He returned to London in late December 1849, and in 1850 entered the office of a London architect to pursue that profession, soon transferring to the London studio of artist James Mathews Leigh. There he met Henry Marks, future member of the St. John’s Wood Clique, and upon his acceptance by the Royal Academy Schools, he encountered other Clique members, including George Leslie, Philip Calderon, J. E. Hodgson, William Yeames, Frederick Walker, and David Wynfield. Storey maintained many of his Clique friendships throughout his life, well beyond the heyday of the Clique in the 1860s. Storey frequently accompanied various Clique members on short jaunts around England, including an extended visit to Hever Castle in 1866. He also traveled to the continent on several occasions, including an extended trip to Spain in 1862–1863, visits to Paris in 1868 and 1878 with George Leslie, and a journey through Italy in 1879 with Philip Calderon.

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