William Posey Silva

Place: Savannah

Born: 1859

Death: 1948

Biography:

William Posey Silva (1859-1948) was an American painter known for his atmospheric landscapes painted in a lyrical impressionist style. He was born in Savannah, Georgia, to a family with Portuguese and English heritage. Silva studied engineering at the University of Virginia for a short time before turning to art. He became an important figure in the art world of Tennessee and later in California, where he moved in 1913 and lived for thirty years. Silva is best remembered for his depictions of the early art colony of Carmel. He was a member of the Society of Western Artists and exhibited his work in numerous venues, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the National Academy of Design.