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A Life in Watercolours and Landscapes

Born in Bristol, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Samuel Phillips Jackson was a dedicated watercolorist who specialized in the depiction of landscapes and marine scenes. The son of landscape painter Samuel Jackson, he received his early artistic instruction from his father and later studied figure drawing at the life school of the academy in Bristol. His artistic journey saw him exhibiting at the British Institution and the Royal Academy, eventually becoming an associate of the Royal Water Colour Society in 1853 and a full member in 1876.

His body of work often captured the atmosphere of the West Country, with many early pieces focusing on the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. His technical skill was noted for its firm execution and restrained harmonies of tone and color, particularly in his ability to interpret the placid atmosphere of grey mist and clouds. Throughout his career, he sent hundreds of works to various exhibitions, including many views of the Thames after he moved to Streatley-on-Thames and Henley-on-Thames.

Artistic Subjects and Technical Interests

Jackson's repertoire included a wide variety of maritime and terrestrial subjects, such as:

Beyond his painting, Jackson possessed a keen interest in photography. He demonstrated a technical aptitude for the medium by inventing an instantaneous shutter, an achievement for which he was awarded a medal from the Royal Photographic Society. He spent his later years in Bristol, where he passed away in 1904.