Samuel Owen was an accomplished British marine watercolourist who served in the Royal Navy.

Born in the leafy village of Hillingdon, Middlesex, Owen’s father was a sailor and, as such, undoubtedly inspired his son to pursue a similar career. He appears to have lost his father early in life, but nevertheless, a life at sea was his calling.

In 1788, he joined the Royal Navy and later captained several ships for the East India Company. These voyages took him across various continents, as far as Ecuador and Peru, Quebec and India. During his time as a sailor for the East India Company, he was appointed as a draughtsman, allowing him time to sketch while onboard. It’s interesting to consider exactly how easy this was amid the often violent waters.

In 1791, his artistic prowess gained recognition from the Royal Academy when he debuted with 'A Sea View'. He continued to contribute for several years.

Owen worked primarily during the Romantic period, when viewers were captivated by the drama of voyages to faraway lands. But aside from the emotive nature of his depictions, Owen was also exceedingly particular when drawing rigging. Each mast, sail and line was reproduced with care. As a sailor, to misrepresent a ship’s minutiae would be tantamount to treason.

At the peak of his career, which occurred during the late 1810s to the 1830s, he contributed numerous drawings to two publications. The first was William Bernard Cooke’s ‘The Thames’, and the second was his own work alongside co-publisher William Westall, RA, and titled ‘Picturesque Tour of the River Thames’. 

Today, despite his works reaching considerable sums at auction during the 1990s/2000s, his achievements both as a sailor and a watercolourist are broadly overlooked. Yet, for us, he remains an important member of the maritime painting fraternity at a time when the seas truly captured the public’s imagination.

He's represented in numerous public collections, including the Ashmolean Museum, National Galleries of Scotland, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the V&A Museum, Tate, The British Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, and the Government Art Collection.

Public Collections

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Brampton Museum, Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, Eton College, Gallery Oldham, National Galleries of Scotland, The Fitzwilliam Museum, The Mercer Art Gallery at Harrogate, Valence House Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate, The British Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, Government Art Collection, National Galleries Scotland, University of Manchester, Southampton City Museum.

Timeline

C. 1769

Born in Hillingdon, Middlesex, to Samuel Owen, a sailor, and Mary Owen.

1788

Joined the Royal Navy.

1791

Debuted at the Royal Academy with 'A Sea View'.

1808

Became a member of the Associated Artists in Water-Colours.

1811

Contributed 84 drawings to William Bernard Cooke’s ‘The Thames’, which were engraved.

1818

Captained ‘The Bristol’, an East India Company fully rigged ship, which travelled across the continents as far as Ecuador and Peru, Quebec and India.

1838

Contributed seven drawings to 'Picturesque Tour of the River Thames’, which he co-published with William Westall, RA.

1867

Died in Sunbury.