S/95624 A THREE MASTED MERCHANT SHIP, HOVE TO IN THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER MERSEY, LIVERPOOL by SAMUEL WALTERS

1811-1882

Signed and dated 1837
Oil on Canvas

In original gilded frame

Canvas size: 25x35 in./63.5x89 cm.
Frame size: 32x42 in./82.5x108 cm.

Samuel Walters was born at sea on the 1st November 1811. He was the son of Miles Walters, 1774-1849, and the father of George Stanfield Walters, 1838-1924. Although it is considered he was self-taught, his father may have instructed him in his younger years. He specialised in painting marines and by 1834 had set himself up with a studio in his father's picture framing premises. He mostly painted pure marine pictures, but occasionally coastal subjects. He lived in London from 1845-1847, but it proved to be not successful, so he moved back to Liverpool, where he prospered capitalising on the shipping boom, being patronised by the wealthy local and American ship owners. He exhibited at the Liverpool Academy from 1830, becoming a member in 1841, and exhibited in London from 1834-1880 at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and the British Institution. Among his fourteen works shown at the Royal Academy was his first exhibit, 'Prussian brig in a light breeze' and he continued exhibiting there till 1861. He died in 1882 at his address in Bootle, Liverpool after painting many fine marines. Works of his may be seen at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool and at the Bootle Art Gallery. The merchant ship in this painting is flying the Blue Peter, which depicts that she is about to sail. Her mizzen mast has been reduced in height, which was often the case before an Atlantic crossing.
We would like to thank the Greenwich Maritime Museum in London and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool for their help in researching this painting.
EXHIBITED:- 1834-1880
39 Royal Society of British Artists
14 Royal Academy
3 British Institution

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