Background
He was born in Union Street, Plymouth in 1816 to Nicholas Condy (1793–1857) and Ann Trevanion Condy (née Pyle. 1792–1860). His father was a painter of landscapes, and they are often confused for each other.
He was born in Union Street, Plymouth in 1816 to Nicholas Condy (1793–1857) and Ann Trevanion Condy (née Pyle. 1792–1860). His father was a painter of landscapes, and they are often confused for each other.
He went to the Mount Radford School in Exeter and later studied under The Reverend C Thomas of Lew Trenchard.
Birth and Education
Intended for a career in the Army or Navy, he instead became a professional marine painter. Artistic career
His work attracted the early admiration of the Earl of Egremont, J M West Turner’s patron. Three of his sea-pieces were exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1842 to 1845, which gave hopes of his becoming a distinguished artist.
Death
He lived in Plymouth until his sudden and premature death at the Grove, Plymouth, on 20 May 1851 when aged only thirty-two.
Condy used a detailed knowledge of ships acquired in his home town to paint accurate ship portraits, and his native Devon countryside is featured in such paintings as Ships off Devonport and The Post Office Packet Shelldrake off Falmouth (both in the National Maritime Museum, London). He was a successful and established artist whose work is still sought after today.
