St. Louis Mercantile Library

On Saturday, April 4, the Mercantile Library had the pleasure of welcoming Dan Biscan and his family, descendants of Frederick Oakes Sylvester, to the gallery.

Seeing the family gathered in front of Sylvester’s work was a powerful reminder that these paintings are part of a living legacy—one that continues to resonate today.

This visit offered a meaningful opportunity to connect the artist’s legacy with the present and to share his work with those who carry his history forward.

Thank you to Dan and his family for taking the time to connect with us and with Sylvester's enduring legacy.

Today we celebrate the birthday of St. Louis artist James Godwin Scott (1931–2015), a nationally recognized watercolorist known for his vivid portrayals of life along the Mississippi River.

After arriving in St. Louis at age 21, Scott found lasting inspiration in the riverfront—famously recalling his first view beneath the Eads Bridge as a turning point in his artistic vision. From that moment forward, the river became a central subject in his work.

Scott’s paintings capture both the beauty and industry of the Mississippi, from steamboats and working vessels to bridges, docks, and shifting shorelines. His work reflects a deep engagement with place, documenting not only the physical landscape but also the cultural and economic rhythms of the region.

The Mercantile Library holds a significant collection of Scott’s watercolors, offering a rich record of his artistic engagement with the St. Louis riverfront. Through works like these, his legacy continues to provide a compelling portrait of the city and the river that shaped it.

"Dawn, Eads Bridge," "Big River, Bonne Terre, Missouri," and "Bermuda," by Scott are on view in our exhibition "Casting a Long Shadow: Frederick Oakes Sylvester & His Circle",
on display through July 31 in our newly renovated Wallace H. Smith Gallery of Art.

📍 St. Louis Mercantile Library Art Collection