Sheldon Orrin Parsons (April 3, 1866–September 24, 1943) was an American artist. A painter, he produced portraits, landscapes, and New Deal promotions. He studied at the National Academy of Design with William Merritt Chase, Edgar Ward, and William Low.Sheldon Orrin Parsons (1866-1943) Biography, Medicine Man Gallery, Tucson, Arizona; accessed 2026.02.23.
After the death of his wife, photographer Caroline Reed Parsons, and contracting tuberculosis, he moved with his daughter Sara to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1913, where he often showed his work at the Palace of the Governors. He became known for his paintings of landscapes, pueblos, and figures.Orrin Sheldon Parsons Sold at Auction Prices, Invaluable; accessed 2026.02.23. He moved into the house once owned by Padre Gallegos on Washington Avenue. He became the first director of the New Mexico Museum of Fine Art in 1918.
References