1850–1903
Samuel Edmund Waller was an English painter renowned for his genre scenes rich with narrative and atmosphere. Born in Gloucester to architect Frederick Sandham Waller, he initially trained in architecture before turning to painting, a path shaped by studies at the Royal Academy Schools.
Waller debuted at the Royal Academy in 1871 and became a regular exhibitor until 1902. His works—such as Jealous (1875), The Empty Saddle (1879), and Sweethearts and Wives (1882)—captured romantic and dramatic moments often set against historical or architectural backdrops. His deep appreciation for Old English country life and Elizabethan architecture is reflected throughout his art.
A gifted storyteller through images, Waller was also admired for his knowledge of horses, often featured in his paintings with striking realism. His works were widely reproduced and remain part of notable collections in England, Australia, and beyond.
Waller passed away in London in 1903. His wife, Mary Lemon Waller, was also an accomplished artist and exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. Together, they left a vivid legacy in the British Victorian art scene.
