STEELE, LOUIS JOHN (1843-1918) was born at Reigate, Surrey, the son of Dr John Sesson Steele, and was educated at Reigate Grammar School. He studied art at the Royal Academy and at the Ecole des Beaux Arts (Paris), and in 1867 entered the Royal Academy in Florence. On returning to England he gained some prominence as an etcher, his most notable picture being 'Napoleon on the Bellerophon.' About 1886 he came to New Zealand, and for 30 years he was associated with the art life of Auckland. Steele collaborated with C. F. Goldie in the picture of the Maori migration to New Zealand, which was exhibited at the St Louis Exposition, and designed the postage stamps for the Christchurch Exhibition (1905-06). Two of his best pictures are 'The Story of a Saddle' (which is in France), and 'The Death of Captain Starlight' (which is in Australia). He also painted some pictures of Maori life for Sir J. Logan Campbell. He died on 12 Dec 1918.

John Barr, Art; Auckland Star, 14 Dec 1918.

Reference: Volume 2, page 166

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