Louis Briel (1945-January 20, 2021) was an American painter and author from Richmond, Virginia. He specialized in portraits, especially ones of celebrities. Three of his works hang in the National Portrait Gallery, including portraits of Arthur Ashe and Dustin Lance Black. One of his paintings, a portrait of John F. Kennedy, was given to Robert F. Kennedy after his brother's assassination. Another portrait was given to Elton John, one depicting his recently deceased friend, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Briel was born and raised in Richmond. He graduated with honors from college and earned his master's at Harvard University. After returning to Richmond in the 1970s, he continued painting portraits and commissions, and lived in his hometown for the rest of his life, except for a brief period in Los Angeles. In 2012, Briel suffered a debilitating stroke, rendering the left side of his body numb. After that, he was only able to paint with his right hand. Briel died in 2021, just days after a solo exhibition of his works had begun.