Page 1 / 1
Albert Julius Olsson, born on February 1, 1864 in Islington, London, combined in his life the roles of a passionate sailor and a renowned marine artist. His seafaring experiences, which he gathered during his numerous summer excursions with his yacht, shaped his artistic work. Thus, he understood like no other to translate the ways from the Isles of Scilly to the Isle of Wight in impressive maritime paintings.
Despite a formal artistic education that can be described as meager at best, Olsson quickly became a mainstay of the St. Ives School of artists. During the years from about 1890 to 1912, he taught alongside Louis Grier and later Algernon Mayow Talmage, shaping an entire generation of artists, including Mary McCrossan and Richard Hayley Lever. His remarkable contribution to art was recognized by the Royal Academy in 1890, which accepted his work for the first time. Recognition of his abilities continued when he was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Academy in 1914 and attained full membership in 1920.
In St. Ives, Olsson and his artist wife Kathleen created a home that was known as the St. Eia Hotel until 2014. During their time there, it housed an art studio and became an art school. Returning to London, Olsson married Edith Ellison in 1925 and made frequent painting trips to Ireland and Sweden, which gave new impetus to his work.
With the outbreak of World War II, Olsson's London studio was bombed. He died in Dalkey, near Dublin, in 1942. His artistic legacy lives on, however, and his works, including many stunning maritime artworks, can be found in museums throughout Britain. They are testaments to a man who could not only navigate the sea, but also knew how to capture its beauty and majesty on canvas.
Albert Julius Olsson, born on February 1, 1864 in Islington, London, combined in his life the roles of a passionate sailor and a renowned marine artist. His seafaring experiences, which he gathered during his numerous summer excursions with his yacht, shaped his artistic work. Thus, he understood like no other to translate the ways from the Isles of Scilly to the Isle of Wight in impressive maritime paintings.
Despite a formal artistic education that can be described as meager at best, Olsson quickly became a mainstay of the St. Ives School of artists. During the years from about 1890 to 1912, he taught alongside Louis Grier and later Algernon Mayow Talmage, shaping an entire generation of artists, including Mary McCrossan and Richard Hayley Lever. His remarkable contribution to art was recognized by the Royal Academy in 1890, which accepted his work for the first time. Recognition of his abilities continued when he was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Academy in 1914 and attained full membership in 1920.
In St. Ives, Olsson and his artist wife Kathleen created a home that was known as the St. Eia Hotel until 2014. During their time there, it housed an art studio and became an art school. Returning to London, Olsson married Edith Ellison in 1925 and made frequent painting trips to Ireland and Sweden, which gave new impetus to his work.
With the outbreak of World War II, Olsson's London studio was bombed. He died in Dalkey, near Dublin, in 1942. His artistic legacy lives on, however, and his works, including many stunning maritime artworks, can be found in museums throughout Britain. They are testaments to a man who could not only navigate the sea, but also knew how to capture its beauty and majesty on canvas.