Cornelius Varley (1781–1873) was an English watercolourist, draughtsman and inventor with a lifelong interest in both art and science. Born in London, he learned optical instrument-making and began drawing landscapes around 1800. He travelled through Wales and other parts of Britain, making studies directly from nature.
His Landscape, North Wales (1805) reflects these early sketching journeys. Cornelius was the younger brother of the landscape painter John Varley (1778–1842), with whom he shared an interest in observing and recording the countryside.
He helped establish the Society of Painters in Water Colours and exhibited his work in London. Alongside painting, he invented an improved camera lucida, an optical instrument that allowed artists to trace a projected view. He also studied astronomy and developed optical equipment. Varley died in 1873, remembered for contributions to both watercolour painting and practical science.
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Varley, Cornelius (1781-1873) - Landscape, North Wales 1805
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