








About Albert Julius Olsson
Self-taught British[2] marine painter and long-serving President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, known for luminous coastal seascapes.

Where to see Albert Julius Olsson
Ranked by works you can see in person.
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2 works
The Box
Plymouth Library And Museum, United Kingdom
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2 works
Grundy Art Gallery
Blackpool, United Kingdom
Also here (3)
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2 works
Harris Museum
Preston, United Kingdom
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2 works
Walker Art Gallery
Liverpool, United Kingdom
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2 works
Art Gallery of South Australia
North Terrace, Australia
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2 works
Gallery Oldham
Oldham, United Kingdom
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2 works
Royal Academy of Arts
Piccadilly, United Kingdom
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1 works
Ferens Art Gallery
City of Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom
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1 works
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
Nitshill, United Kingdom
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1 works
National Museum Cardiff
Castle, United Kingdom
View all 23 museums
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1 works
Portsmouth Museums and Visitor Services
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
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1 works
Royal West of England Academy
Clifton, United Kingdom
Also here (2)
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1 works
Birmingham Museums Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom
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1 works
Tate
Tate Britain, United Kingdom
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1 works
Atkinson Art Gallery and Library
Southport, United Kingdom
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1 works
Canadian War Museum
LeBreton Flats, Canada
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1 works
Laing Art Gallery
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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1 works
Usher Gallery
Lincoln, United Kingdom
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1 works
Mercer Art Gallery
Harrogate, United Kingdom
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1 works
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
Lister Park, United Kingdom
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1 works
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, United Kingdom
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1 works
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
Blackburn, United Kingdom
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1 works
Royal Cornwall Museum
Truro, United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see Albert Julius Olsson's work?
Albert Julius Olsson's work can be viewed in several galleries and museums. These include: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, located in the Royal Pavilion Gardens; Manchester Art Gallery, on Mosley Street; and the Victoria & Albert Museum, situated on Cromwell Road, London. Additionally, his pieces are held in the National Museums of Scotland, specifically the Royal Museum, in Edinburgh. Outside the United Kingdom, Olsson's art is displayed at institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the United States. Other American venues include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. His work is also available to view at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.What should I know about Albert Julius Olsson's prints?
Albert Julius Olsson (1864[2]-1942[2]) was a Swedish-British[2] painter known for his marine art. He was born in London to a Swedish father and English mother. Olsson studied at the St. Martin's School of Art, London, and later established a studio in St. Ives, Cornwall, a location that heavily influenced his artistic output. Olsson specialised in depicting moonlight scenes and atmospheric coastal views. His paintings often feature ships, harbours, and the sea under various weather conditions. He became an associate of the Royal Academy in 1914[2] and a full member in 1920. Prints of Olsson's work often reproduce his oil paintings and watercolours. These prints capture his skill in portraying light and atmosphere, particularly his celebrated moonlight effects. Collectors of maritime art may find his prints desirable for their depictions of the sea and coastal life in Cornwall. His works provide a glimpse into the artistic trends and maritime culture of late 19th- and early 20th-century Britain.Why are Albert Julius Olsson's works important today?
Albert Julius Olsson (1864[2]-1942[2]) was a British[2] painter known for his marine art. His works are still appreciated for their technical skill in depicting light and atmosphere, particularly the effects of moonlight on water. Olsson's focus on maritime subjects aligns him with a broader artistic interest in coastal regions, which developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At this time, Scandinavian artists were exploring their own relationship to the sea and the Nordic environment. Figures such as Christian Krohg (1852-1925[2]) and the painters of the 1930s, who later dominated the Norwegian art scene, engaged with similar themes, albeit sometimes with socialist or Marxist leanings. Olsson's seascapes offer a view into the artistic concerns of his era, reflecting a fascination with natural phenomena and a move away from purely academic styles. His paintings provide a historical record of maritime life and the aesthetic sensibilities of his time, which continue to resonate with audiences today.What techniques or materials did Albert Julius Olsson use?
Information on Albert Julius Olsson's specific techniques is scarce. However, we can discuss painting techniques and materials in general. Artists have employed varied materials throughout history. Natural pigments, and later chemical ones, have been used in fresco, egg tempera, watercolour, and oil painting. More recent materials include acrylics and household emulsions. "Mixed media" describes artworks combining different materials. Techniques describe the methods used in the creative process. For painting, this includes knowledge of how oil can be applied thickly (impasto) or thinly (glazes). Brushwork may be fine, disguised, or applied thickly with a palette knife. The artist's method and materials are connected to the concept of the "craftsman". This raises questions about the artist's social role, which has shifted across time and place. Some societies have assigned a specific place for both artist and artisan, or have considered them the same.Who did Albert Julius Olsson influence?
It is difficult to say precisely who Albert Julius Olsson influenced. However, it is known that A. Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven said that J. E. H. MacDonald and Lawren Harris were inspired by a show of Scandinavian painting. Jackson stated that the Group of Seven had 'frankly abandoned any attempt after literal painting and treated our subjects with the freedom of the decorative designer, just as the Swedes had done, living in a land where the topography and climate are similar to our own'. The show was much discussed when Jackson arrived in Toronto in May 1913[2] to meet MacDonald, Lismer, and Varley, as well as Harris, with whom he began to share a studio in 1914.Who influenced Albert Julius Olsson?
Albert Julius Olsson (1864[2]-1942[2]) was a British[2] maritime painter, influenced by several artists and artistic movements. Although specifics on his direct influences are limited, some contextual information can be gathered. Olsson's atmospheric seascapes and nocturnes align with the late 19th-century interest in naturalism and capturing transient effects of light and weather. This was a common theme among artists of the period. He shared an interest in accurately depicting nature with the French Barbizon School, known for its realistic portrayals of rural scenes. James McNeill Whistler, with his atmospheric and tonal paintings, may have had an impact on Olsson's aesthetic. Whistler's emphasis on mood and suggestion, rather than precise detail, resonates with Olsson's work. The Newlyn School, a group of artists working in Cornwall during the same period, also provides context. While not a formal member, Olsson shared their focus on painting en plein air and depicting the lives of working people in coastal communities. His depictions of the sea and harbours reflect this shared artistic interest.What is Albert Julius Olsson's most famous work?
Albert Julius Olsson (1864[2]-1942[2]) was a British[2] marine painter, born in London to a Swedish father and English mother. Although he painted a variety of coastal subjects, he is best known for his depictions of moonlit seascapes. Olsson's paintings often feature dramatic skies and reflections on the water's surface. He had a particular skill for capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. He studied at the St. Martin's School of Art from 1880[2] to 1890. He became a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1903. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1914, and a full member in 1920. While it is difficult to identify one single "most famous" work, several of Olsson's paintings are particularly well regarded. Examples include "Moonlit Shore", "Smugglers", and "The Gleaming Sea". These paintings are appreciated for their atmospheric qualities and technical skill. Olsson's work can be found in numerous public and private collections, including the Tate, in London. He also operated an art school in St Ives, Cornwall.What style or movement did Albert Julius Olsson belong to?
Albert Julius Olsson (1864[2]-1942[2]) was a British[2] painter known for his marine art. He captured the moods of the sea, often at night, and his work has been associated with Impressionism. Impressionism developed in France in the 1860s and spread internationally. Impressionist artists aimed to depict the fleeting visual impressions of a moment, with attention to light and colour. Olsson shared this interest in light effects, particularly the way moonlight reflects on water. However, Olsson's style also incorporates elements of tonalism, which emphasised atmospheric effects and subtle gradations of tone. He often used a limited colour palette to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. While he was influenced by Impressionism, Olsson's work is not strictly confined to that movement. His paintings show a concern for realism, but also a sensitivity to the emotional and atmospheric qualities of the sea.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Albert Julius Olsson's works across the following collections.
- [1] museum Canadian War Museum Used for: museum holdings.
- [2] wikipedia Wikipedia: Albert Julius Olsson Used for: biography.
- [3] book Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author, Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author - The Art Book_ New Edition, Mini Format Used for: biography.
- [4] book Masterpieces of western art : a history of art in 900 individual studies from the Gothic to the present day Used for: biography.
- [5] book Landauer, Susan, The not-so-still life : a century of California painting and sculpture Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-06-28. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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