OULESS, Philip John (1817-1885) — St. Helier
Artist, printer and photographer. Produced Jersey for Edward Durrell, “The picturesque and historical guide to the island of Jersey” 1852, also illustrated with his views, lithographed by Henri Walter. Also produced “Scenic beauties of the island of Jersey” 1840; “The new and improved guide, and visitor’s souvenir of the island of Jersey”, with a map; “The royal Jersey album” 1847 — also with plates lithographed by Walter, etc. Known principally for his marine paintings.
Philip John Ouless was born in St. Helier 7 Apr 1817, the son of Philippe Jean Ouless, a painter and glazier, reportedly also an auctioneer, and his wife Susanne Blampied. Ouless studied painting in Paris, returning to St. Helier to establish himself as a marine, landscape and portrait painter. A freemason, he joined the Mechanics Lodge in 1842 and subsequently La Césarée. He was not only an accomplished conventional artist, but an early photographer, introducing the daguerreotype process to Jersey in 1845 and offering a studio portrait service in that year. He recorded the visit of Queen Victoria to Jersey in 1846 in sequence of illustrations published in 1847. In 1858 he led a protest against the feudal proceedings of the Seigneur and the Senechal of Jersey, reported in the Jersey Independent 21 Oct 1858. He died at 53 New Street, St. Helier, 22 Jun 1885, aged sixty-eight. His wife Caroline Margaret (Marguerite) Savage was perhaps born in St. Brelade. His son Walter Ouless R.A. (1848-1933) became a portrait painter (see ODNB), while daughter Catherine (1879-1961) was also an accomplished artist, and son Clarence (1853-1927) a photographer. La Société Jersiaise acquired a collection of works by Ouless from the family in 2008.
8 Royal Square, St. Helier — 1839-1847
50 New Street, St. Helier — 1851
50 Paradise Row, St. Helier
53 New Street, St. Helier — 1861-1885
BNA. Bryan. Census 1841-1881. COPAC.