William Posey Silva (Georgia/Tennessee, 1859-1948) oil on board impressionist landscape of a Southern pine forest, signed lower left "William P. Silva." New, early 20th century style giltwood frame with carved corner ornament. 15-3/8" x 11-3/8" sight, 22" x 18" framed. Found in the Chattanooga, TN area. Biography: William Posey Silva has been called "the finest artist at the turn of the century" (ref. William Gerdts, "Art Across America" v. III). He was born in Savannah, Georgia, and spent his first fifty years of life successfully running his family's chinaware business. In 1887 he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and began taking art instruction. He enrolled in the Academie Julian in Paris as a student of Jean Paul Laurens and also painted with American impressionist Chauncey Ryder. He had his first solo exhibition in 1909 at the Georges Petit Gallery in Paris. That same year he returned to Chattanooga and began winning American acclaim for his impressionistic paintings of picturesque subject matter including Chattanooga landscapes and the pine forests near Savannah. He won the silver medal at the 1910 Appalachian Exposition in Knoxville and had a solo exhibition at the Telfair Academy in Savannah in 1917. He moved to Washington DC and eventually to California in 1913. He was also a member of the California Art Club and the Salmagundi Club.

Canvas laid down on board; some minute abrasions along lower edge of painting, small (1/8") area in foliage flouresces indicating possible repair.