Reginald Brill's career is defined by his distinct figurative work. An exceptional draughtsman, he was awarded a scholarship to the Slade School of Art in 1921 despite his limited formal training. He trained under Henry Tonks and was in many ways heir to the celebrated generation of pre-War Slade students, perhaps most closely to Stanley Spencer in his peculiar eye for formal arrangement, technical ability and powerful observation. He won the Prix de Rome for painting and studied at the British School in Rome from 1927-9. 

Brill's celebrated series of work, 'The Martyrdom of Man', depicted contemporary working life in various forms, titles including The Operation, The Jury, Lineman, Waiting Room and Rest (1956, Tate Collection). In a similar vein, the present example depicts a labourer at rest, catching a moment of respite, leaning against a tree trunk. 

Brill was appointed principal of Kingston School of Art in 1934, at the time poorly run and with a diminished reputation. He held the post for thirty years and during his tenure transformed the school, establishing it as one of the pre-eminent art schools in the country. His topographical scenes of Kingston today form The Brill Collection at Kingston Museum.