William Carroll Saunders (1817-1892)
Born in Huntsville, Alabama, William Carroll Saunders’ family settled in Columbus, Mississippi prior to 1830. According to family tradition, despite acceptance into West Point, Saunders decided to pursue a career as an artist and studied informally with Samuel F.B. Morse. Saunders exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1838 and then he furthered his studies in art during tours of Italy. From 1842 to 1847, Saunders opened a studio in Mobile where he painted portraits and historical paintings. After serving as consul to Rome, Saunders opened a studio in Columbus in 1852 and earned portrait commissions from clients in Alabama and Mississippi. During the Civil War, he exhibited the painting “Jeptha and His Daughter” for the benefit of the Confederate soldiers.
Information courtesy of Neal Auction Company