Joseph Walter (1783-1856) was an English marine painter in oils and watercolour, working at Bristol and Portishead. He gained notice for his portrayals of Brunel's steamships Great Western and Great Britain.

Walter's artistic style can be categorized as "West painting," a genre that flourished in Bristol during the early 19th century. This style emphasized dramatic lighting, dynamic compositions, and often featured historical or mythological subjects set against evocative landscapes.

Walter’s paintings frequently depicted scenes of maritime activity – ships battling storms, sailors engaged in their daily routines, and bustling harbour life. Walter’s technique was characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a skilful use of colour. He employed a palette dominated by muted tones – greys, blues, and browns – which effectively captured the atmospheric conditions of the Bristol coast. His brushwork was generally smooth and controlled, but he wasn't afraid to introduce subtle variations in texture to suggest the roughness of wood or the fluidity of water.