Explore: Sir Oswald Walters Brierly

(1817 - 1894)

Oswald Walters Brierly was born in Chester, the son of a physician. He studied at Sass’s Academy, Bloomsbury, before entering the Naval College, Plymouth. From 1841 to 1851 he was an artist on a voyage to Australia. In 1854 he sketched actions of the Crimea for the ‘Illustrated London News’. After his return, Queen Victoria commissioned views of the 1853 Naval Review at Spithead. From 1867, he travelled with Albert, Prince of Wales although their excursion was cut short. In 1869 he journeyed along the Nile with the Prince. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and Royal Society of Painters in Water Colour. He was appointed Marine Painter to the Queen, Painter to the Royal Yacht Squadron and was knighted in 1885. He died aged 77 in Notting Hill.