David Silvette Paintings & Artwork for Sale | David Silvette Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 22, 2025
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) PORTRAIT OF THOMAS JEFFERSON
Est: $600 - $900
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) PORTRAIT OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, oil on canvas, a large three-quarter-length depiction of Jefferson the young lawyer standing beside a desk and holding a book, signed and dated lower left. Housed in likely original frame. Dated 1976. 47 1/2" x 33 1/2" sight, 54 1/2" x 40 1/2" OA. Catalogue Note: David Silvette was the son of accomplished Virginia portrait artist Ellis Meyer Silvette (1876-1940). He initially studied under his father, then went on to study with other East Coast portraitists like Cecilia Beaux and Charles Hawthorne. David soon became renowned in Virginia for his portraits of significant historical figures and business leaders. During World War II he joined the military and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Silvette resumed painting portraits and began to paint murals for federal buildings. He passed away in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 83. His exhibitions include the Corcoran Gallery in 1932, where he was awarded a bronze medal, and 1937. His works are included in the collections of the Virginia State Capitol, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Richmond Academy of Fine Art. Some of his most popular works include the portraits of F. Scott Fitzgerald, other celebrities, and a young Thomas Jefferson, the example presently offered here.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Mar. 21, 2024
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) PORTRAIT OF FRANK TYREE BATES, JR. (HENRICO COUNTY, VA 1876-1965)
Est: $50 - $80
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) PORTRAIT OF FRANK TYREE BATES, JR. (HENRICO COUNTY, VA 1876-1965), oil on canvas, depicts an older gentleman in a blue suit with glasses, said to be Frank Tyree Bates, Jr. Signed "David Silvette 1954" lower right. Housed in original gilt frame. Circa 1954. 29 1/2" x 24 1/2" sight, 31 1/2" x 32 1/2" OA. Catalogue Note: David Silvette was the son of accomplished Virginia portrait artist Ellis Meyer Silvette (1876-1940). He initially studied under his father, then went on to study with other East Coast portraitists like Cecilia Beaux and Charles Hawthorne. David soon became renowned in Virginia for his portraits of significant historical figures and business leaders. During World War II he joined the military and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Silvette resumed painting portraits and began to paint murals for federal buildings. He passed away in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 83. His exhibitions include the Corcoran Gallery in 1932, where he was awarded a bronze medal, and 1937. His works are included in the collections of the Virginia State Capitol, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Richmond Academy of Fine Art. Some of his most popular works include the portraits of F. Scott Fitzgerald and a young Thomas Jefferson, along with portraits of Confederate leaders and soldiers.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Mar. 21, 2024
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN
Est: $50 - $100
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN, oil on canvas, a waist length depiction of a young man in a turtleneck sweater and brown vest, history of being possibly a portrait of Landon Carter Wellford. Signed "David Silvette '73" lower right. Verso of frame reading indistinctly "(illegible) De Leslie". Housed in a likely original period frame. American. Circa 1973. 23 1/2" x 19 1/2" sight, 29 1/2" x 25 1/2" OA. Catalogue Note: David Silvette was the son of accomplished Virginia portrait artist Ellis Meyer Silvette (1876-1940). He initially studied under his father, then went on to study with other East Coast portraitists like Cecilia Beaux and Charles Hawthorne. David soon became renowned in Virginia for his portraits of significant historical figures and business leaders. During World War II he joined the military and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Silvette resumed painting portraits and began to paint murals for federal buildings. He passed away in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 83. His exhibitions include the Corcoran Gallery in 1932, where he was awarded a bronze medal, and 1937. His works are included in the collections of the Virginia State Capitol, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Richmond Academy of Fine Art. Some of his most popular works include the portraits of F. Scott Fitzgerald and a young Thomas Jefferson, along with portraits of Confederate leaders and soldiers.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Sep. 22, 2023
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) STILL-LIFE PAINTING
Est: $300 - $500
DAVID SILVETTE (VIRGINIA, 1909-1992) STILL-LIFE PAINTING, oil on canvas, an impressionist depiction of peonies in a stoneware jug, on a table with an open sketchbook and a demijohn in the background, signed "David Silvette - 29" upper left. Housed in the probably original painted-wood frame. 24 1/2" x 17 3/4" sight, 32 1/4" x 25 1/2" OA. Catalogue Note: David Silvette was the son of accomplished Virginia portrait artist Ellis Meyer Silvette (1876-1940). He initially studied under his father, then went on to study with other East Coast portraitists like Cecilia Beaux and Charles Hawthorne. David soon became renowned in Virginia for his portraits of significant historical figures and business leaders. During World War II he joined the military and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Silvette resumed painting portraits and began to paint murals for federal buildings. He passed away in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 83. His exhibitions include the Corcoran Gallery in 1932, where he was awarded a bronze medal, and 1937. His works are included in the collections of the Virginia State Capitol, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Richmond Academy of Fine Art. Some of his most popular works include the portraits of F. Scott Fitzgerald and a young Thomas Jefferson, along with portraits of Confederate leaders and soldiers.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Jun. 15, 2019
David Silvette (VA, 1909-1992), Standing Nude
Est: $1,000 - $3,000
David Silvette (VA, 1909-1992), Standing Nude oil on canvas (lined), inscribed "Silvette" on the lining, framed. SS 41.5 x 27 in.; DOA 52.25 x 37.5 in. Training under Cecelia Beaux and Charles Hawthorne, David Silvette was a prominent portrait artist living on Richmond's North Side. He painted the only known life-sitting of F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1935 which hangs in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Other portraits by Silvette may be found in private homes, the US Treasury, and Virginia's State Capitol. In addition to his society portraits, Silvette was commissioned by the WPA in 1938 to paint a frieze of murals depicting historic New Bern scenes in the U.S. Post Office, Court House, and Custom House in Craven County, North Carolina. It was during this period that Silvette also spent some time at the Tryon Artist Colony. Additional high-resolution photos are available at LelandLittle.com
Leland Little Auctions
Jun. 16, 2018
David Silvette (VA, 1909-1992), Madonna of the Rappahannock
Est: $1,000 - $3,000
oil on canvas, signed and inscribed at center left "David Silvette / after / Gari Melchers 1923," presented in a period gilt frame, the top stretcher with stamp for Robert Stone Gallery of Richmond, Virginia. DOA 44.75 x 42.75 in. This painting is a copy of the original painting by Gari Melchers (1860-1932) completed in 1923 and in the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The Detroit born artist spent many years studying and painting abroad, but returned to the United States in 1915 where he established a studio at the Beaux-Arts building at Bryant Park in New York City. He and his wife were keen to find a country escape from the city. In 1916 they purchased an 18th century estate in Falmouth, Virginia known as Belmont. This idyllic spot along the Rappahannock River was a great inspiration for Melcher. He had long been drawn to the theme of mother and child, and in this charming painterly work he places the figures in a contemporary setting above the falls of the Rappahannock. David Silvette was a prominent portrait artist living on Richmond's North Side. He painted the only known life-sitting of F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1935 which hangs in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Other portraits by Silvette may be found in private homes, the US Treasury, and Virginia's State Capitol. Additional high-resolution photos are available at LelandLittle.com
Leland Little Auctions
Sep. 20, 2014
David Silvette
Est: $400 - $600
David Silvette (Virginia, b, 1909) WORKSHOP oil on board, unframed, signed upper left and verso H22" W28" Provenance: Arlington, Virginia private collection
Charlton Hall
Jun. 06, 2010
David Silvette
Est: $300 - $500
David Silvette Virginia (b. 1909) CAPTAIN FRANK BERKELEY oil on canvas, framed, signed & dated: lower right, David Silvette, 1934 H30" W25" Provenance: Berkeley Robins MacKinnon, Florida private collection. Other Notes: Captain Francis Brooke Berkeley "Captain Frank" was born on September 7, 1835. He served in the Confederate States Army from 1861-1865 as Captain and Adjutant Gerneral of Imboden's Brigade. He married Susan Jan Baird, daughter of Rev. Samuel J. Baird. He died on October 5, 1898.
Charlton Hall
Feb. 19, 2010
David Silvette, "Young Jefferson", 1st Edition Print, 18" H, 12" W
Est: $40 - $60
David Silvette "Young Jefferson" 1st Edition Print pencil signed. #627A. Framed. 18" H, 12" W
Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery