Samuel Walters

1811-1882

British (London, England)

Samuel Walters was born in London in 1811. His father Miles (1773-1855) was a master tradesman and marine artist who originated from Ilfracombe in North Devon. Young Samuel’s familiarity with his father’s gilding and framing business and its proximity to the bustling docks had a natural influence on Samuel, and he soon became an apprentice to him. Father and son left London for the port of Liverpool about 1826, spending over a year in Bristol on the way. In 1827 they collaborated on their first marine painting, one of approximately forty paintings they worked on together over the next six years until Miles Walters retired from art in the mid 1830’s.

Shortly after arriving in Liverpool Samuel enrolled at the Liverpool Mechanics School of Arts and in November 1831 he joined the Royal Institution, containing the Liverpool Academy Schools. The previous year he had exhibited his first work at the Academy, entitled “Dutch Boats in a Fresh Breeze”. This was to be the first of 99 paintings shown at the Academy over the next 35 years, and on November 7, 1837 he was made an Associate Member.

Walters had a considerable influence on other important Liverpool marine artists.