Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Naftel, Paul Jacob
NAFTEL, PAUL JACOB (1817–1891), painter in water-colours, born at Guernsey on 10 Sept. 1817, was son of Paul and Sophia Naftel of Guernsey. He resided during the earlier part of his life in Guernsey, where he was educated; and, although a self-taught artist, was appointed professor of drawing at Elizabeth College. Becoming known for his delicate and refined studies in water-colour, he was elected an associate of the ‘Old’ Society of Painters in Water-colours on 11 Feb. 1856, and a full member on 13 June 1859. He did not settle in England till 1870, when he resided at 4 St. Stephen's Square, Westbourne Park, London, continuing to practise as a drawing-master, and to be a prolific exhibitor at the exhibition of the ‘Old’ Society. He subsequently moved to 76 Elm Park Road, Chelsea, and later to a house at Strawberry Hill, where he died on 13 Sept. 1891. Naftel's subjects were in his earlier days the scenery of his native Channel Islands, and latterly views in the United Kingdom and Italy. They were remarkable for tender and light effects rather than strength, and in his earlier days he was lavish in his use of body colour. He made the designs to illustrate Ansted and Latham's book on the ‘Channel Islands,’ 1862. Naftel married, first, Miss Robilliard of Alderney; and, secondly, Isabel, youngest daughter of Octavius Oakley [q. v.], water-colour painter.
Naftel, Maud (1856–1890), painter, daughter of the above by his second wife, was born on 1 June 1856. At first a pupil of her father, she afterwards studied at the Slade School of Art in London, and in Paris under M. Carolus Duran. She attained distinction as a painter in water-colours, and was especially noted for her paintings of flowers. She was elected an associate of the ‘Old’ Society of Painters in Water-colours in March 1887, but died in her father's house at Elm Park Road, on 18 Feb. 1890. She published a book on ‘Flowers and how to paint them.’
[Private information; Roget's Hist. of the ‘Old Water-colour’ Society.]