signed and dated front - titled verso 

Lucius Richard O'Brien, Canadian artist, born at Shanty Bay, Lake Simcoe, 15 August, 1832. He was educated at Upper Canada college, in 1847 entered an architect's office, and subsequently studied and practised as a civil engineer. From early years Mr. O'Brien displayed a love for art. In 1872 he took an active part in founding the art-school of the Ontario society of artists, and he was vice-president of this society in 1874-'80. When the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts was founded in 1880 he was appointed its president by the Marquis of Lorne, and then held this office by election until 1890.  In 1880 Mr. O'Brien was appointed art editor of "Picturesque Canada" (2 vols., Toronto, 1884), to which he contributed a large number of drawings. His pictures have been of landscape or marine subjects exclusively, and of late years he has painted altogether in watercolours. His principal works are two pictures of Quebec, painted for the Queen (1881); a view of "Cape Diamond," Quebec, painted for the Marquis of Lorne as a wedding present for Prince Leopold in 1882 ; "Cape Trinity"; "September on the Saguenay," owned by the Marquis of Lansdowne; "The Outlet of Lake St. John"; "A Portage on the Peribonea," owned by the Canadian club of New York ; "Under the Cliffs of Devon after a Storm"; and'" Footprints of an Avalanche," exhibited in May, 1887, at the Royal academy, London. He has also painted views in the Rocky mountains.