Claude Hayes RI ROI (1852–1922) was born in Dublin, the son of marine artist Edwin Hayes. As a young man, he ran away from home following an argument and served aboard the Golden Fleece, a ship that was used in the Abyssinian Expedition. He subsequently studied at Heatherleys School of Fine Art and at the Royal Academy schools for three years. Like several other Irish artists of his generation, he also studied at Antwerp under Charles Verlat.
His first exhibition was held in the Royal Hibernian Academy showing twenty-one works. He went on to exhibit extensively: from 1876 at the Royal Academy and from 1884 at the Royal Institute for Painters in Watercolour, of which he was elected a member in 1886. He also exhibited at Suffolk Street, the New Watercolour Society, Grosvenor Gallery and the New Gallery, amongst others.
Hayes's works can be found in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Ulster Museum, Leeds City Art Gallery and the Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino.
