Walter Thomas

1894-1971

British (England, London; Isle of Man)

Thomas was a landscape and marine painter in oil and watercolor, illustrator and poster artist. Born in Liverpool, he attended its College of Art, 1912–1913, followed by two years studying art in London. His big break to fame and fortune came with commissions from the Cunard White Star Line who appointed him to paint marine portraits of their great ocean liners that plied the North Atlantic route in the first half of the 20th century. These paintings were used particularly to create spectacular posters to attract wealthy customers wishing to travel between Europe and New York. He had a varied career, including museum curator, ship interior and exhibition designer, and shipping firms commissioned pictures by Thomas for their vessels’ public rooms.