Internet Antique Gazette

Francis Augustus Silva (1835 to 1886)

Silva began painting when he was apprenticed to a sign painter in his native New York. Despite receiving no formal art education, he launched his fine art career in 1865 and by 1868 was included in the National Academy of Design’s annual exhibition.

Although Fitz Hugh Lane and Martin Johnson Heade are often heralded as the leaders of the Luminist movement, Silva has come to be recognized as [...] Click here to continue reading.