Albert Julius Olsson
Albert Julius Olsson (1864–1942) was a British maritime artist and keen yachtsman, widely recognized for his evocative seascapes and dynamic representations of the ocean. Born in Islington, London, to a Swedish father and an English mother, Olsson developed a deep connection with the sea, spending most summers cruising along the British coastline in his yacht. His intimate knowledge of the waters from the Scilly Isles to the Isle of Wight became a defining feature of his work. The magazine The Studio once remarked that "he knows the way from the Scillies to the Isle of Wight as most men know their way to the nearest railway station."
Olsson’s career began in earnest in 1887 when he exhibited a painting of Newlyn. By 1897, he had sold another painting in Newlyn, establishing himself as a key figure within the St Ives School of artists. Despite having little formal training, Olsson taught alongside prominent artists such as Louis Grier and Algernon Talmage. His impact on the art community in St Ives was significant, mentoring a new generation of artists, including Mary McCrossan, Richard Hayley Lever, Reginald Guy Kortright, and Emily Carr, among others.
His work was first accepted by the Royal Academy in 1890, and he became a member of the New English Art Club the following year. In 1912, Olsson returned to London, where he continued to exhibit his work. During World War I, he served as a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), which gave him the opportunity to paint naval ships in action. His contribution to British art was further recognized when he was elected an Associate member of the Royal Academy in 1914 and a full member in 1920.
Olsson also left a lasting mark on St Ives, where he and his artist wife Kathleen designed their home, St Eia, which later became a hotel. The property featured a studio and an art school that attracted aspiring artists. Later in life, after leaving St Ives, Olsson married Edith Ellison in 1925 and made frequent painting trips to Ireland and Sweden.
During World War II, Olsson's London studio was bombed, leading to his relocation to Dalkey, near Dublin, where he passed away in 1942. His works are now held in museums across the United Kingdom, and his legacy as one of Britain's leading maritime painters endures.
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Full Name: Albert Julius Olsson
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Birth and Death: 1864–1942
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Profession: Maritime Painter and Yachtsman
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Influences: British Maritime Art, Impressionism
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Legacy: Known for his dynamic seascapes, Olsson’s works are found in collections across the UK, and he played a key role in the St Ives art scene.
