Samuel Howell (1807–1876): A Quiet Master of Victorian Portraiture Samuel Duke Howell (born September 16, 1807; died November 30, 1876) was a British portrait painter who achieved considerable renown during the Victorian era. Though largely unrecognized in his own time, Howell’s meticulous attention to detail and masterful use of oil paint have cemented his place as a significant figure within the broader context of British art history. His work reflects the prevailing aesthetic sensibilities of the period—characterized by realism, psychological insight, and an emphasis on capturing the dign…