Quick Facts
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Biography
Thomas Jacques Somerscales (born in Kingston upon Hull on 29 October 1842; died 27 June 1927) was an English marine painter. He is also considered a Chilean painter as he began his career there and many of his landscapes evoke the region.
Life and career
His father was a shipmaster, who sketched, and his uncle was an amateur painter. However he had no formal training as an artist and originally became a teacher in the Royal Navy. He also traveled around the Pacific and while teaching in Valparaíso he started working as a professional painter. By 1893 he was still referred to as a "little known artist" but had gained some praise.
His life's work has been detailed in the book: "Thomas Somerscales, Marine Artist" by Alex A. Hurst.
Selected paintings
Sinking of the Esmeralda at the Battle of Iquique
Naval Combat at Iquique
The Death of Arturo Prat Chacón on the Huascar
The Battle of Punta Gruesa
The Battle of Angamos
