William Chadwick

William Chadwick (1879-1962) was part of a second generation of American Impressionists, known for his subtle palettes and light-filled canvases. Born in England, Chadwick immigrated with his family to Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1882. He left for New York City after graduating high school to study at the Art Students League with artists like John Henry Twachtman and William Merritt Chase. In 1902 Chadwick visited Old Lyme, Connecticut — the town would come to be an important artist colony for American Impressionists (it is often referred to as the “American Giverny”), and at various points was home to artists like Robert Vonnoh and First Lady Ellen Wilson. During his time there, Chadwick’s artistic focus shifted from portraiture to plein air landscapes.

For the next few years following his visit, Chadwick split his time between Old Lyme, where he spent summers, and New York City. In 1903 he showed his work with the Society of American Artists, marking his professional artistic debut. Between 1912 and 1915 he traveled throughout Europe, including a lengthy stay in Italy. Upon returning to the United States, Chadwick made a permanent home in Old Lyme — though he would frequently travel to New England, and held his first solo exhibition at the Telfair Academy in Savannah, Georgia, where he also taught for two years, Old Lyme would stay Chadwick’s base for the rest of his life, where he remained a central figure in the continuation and growth of the colony.