Hercules Brabazon Brabazon

His father attempted to make him return by reducing his allowance, but in 1847, upon the death of his elder brother, he gained financial independence when he inherited family estates in Connaught, the will requiring that he change his surname to Brabazon.

From then on he led a life of travel, art study and painting, inspired by the works of artists such as Diego Velázquez and J. M. W. Turner.

In 1858 he inherited Oaklands, whose management he left to his brother-in-law while he continued to travel – mostly in Europe, but with trips to Africa and India – always returning with his watercolours.

Describing himself as living "for Art and Sunshine", he viewed himself as a gentleman amateur, and did not show or try to sell his work until his mid-seventies.

[citation needed] Due to financial problems with the family estate, in 1926 Brabazon's relatives sold the works that they had inherited.