JOHNO'BRIEN
(1831 - 1891)

From Halifax, John O'Brien specialized in marine paintings. It appears that he didn't have formal artistic training and is acknowledged as being self-taught. First noticed in November of 1850, he would later advertise himself professionally in 1853. In June of 1857, some interested Haligonians, impressed with his talent as a ship portraitist, arranged for O'Brien to travel to England to study. He returned in April of the next year and pursued a career as a marine artist, but he also tinted photographs, a skill he learned in London.

Few of his best works from the 1860's and 70's have survived, and those from the 80's were badly handled. His popularity and success came from his marine paintings during the mid 1800's.