Considered by some as Guernsey's greatest painter, Paul Jacob Naftel began life in the family tradition of clock making but turned to painting, becoming a drawing master to the wealthy ladies of the island. His first important watercolor was of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert landing at St Pierre, which is dated August 24, 1846.

In 1847 Naftel replaced John Henry Matthiason as drawing-master at Elizabeth College, a post which he was to hold until he left Guernsey in 1870. As a professional he began to exhibit prolifically in London and following the death of his father in 1870 began to travel more to the British Isles and the Continent, eventually moving to London in 1882, where he remained until his d...