Submitted by Nancy Moure, Independent Art Researcher

Schwartz, David / Davis (1879-1969) (Lived in San Francisco / San Gabriel, California)

“David Schwartz, 89, Famed Area Artist… A native of Paris, Ky., he studied at the Chicago Art Institute, at schools in Dayton and Cleveland, Ohio, and with Adam Sheriff Scott in Montreal. He worked as illustrator for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and later with the Los Angeles Times after coming to California in 1903. Mr. Schwartz was known for his paintings of the West in oils and watercolors and for his landscapes. He became art director and illustrator for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Thomas Ince Studios in Hollywood. In 1926 he came to San Francisco for a four month stay but never went back to Los Angeles… He was a member of the Carmel Art Association, Oakland Museum of Art and Society of Western Artists,” (San Francisco Examiner, newspaper, Jan. 3, 1969, p. 39.)

Further material can be found in: Nancy Moure, “Central Coast Artist Visitors before 1960,” (PUBLICATIONS IN CALIFORNIA ART, VOL. 13, NO. VII), Cambria, Ca.: Dustin Publications, 2022.

Davis Schwartz was a landscape painter and illustrator. Born in Paris, Kentucky on June 18, 1879, Schwartz grew up in the grass country and, like St. Francis of Assisi, for whom he was named, developed a deep love of nature, and living things. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, and then at art schools at Dayton and Cleveland, Ohio. He then spent 3 years in Montreal studying under Adam S. Scott.

He worked as an illustrator for the Cleveland "Plain Dealer" newspaper. After moving to Southern California in 1903, he worked for the "Los Angeles Times". He began a full time fine art career in 1915. In 1924 he moved to San Francisco for the installation of a huge map at the Ferry Building for the State of California.

Schwartz remained in San Francisco after being named to the State Board of Harbor Commissioners. For 30 years he acted as the custodian of the Ferry Building map exhibit.

Credit: Edan Hughes, Artists in California


He was the winner of many medals and awards. He is best known for his watercolors and oils of Northern California landscapes, seascapes, missions, and portraits. He died on January 1, 1969 at Ross General Hospital. He was a long time member of the Carmel Art Association, the Oakland Art Association, Santa Cruz Art Assocation, and

Society of Western Artists.