Antique Manuel Valencia Mission Delores San Francisco Oil Painting Oak Frame

A beautiful and rare original Mission Delores oil on canvas painting by Manuel. The painting is in excellent. With no damage or repairs. Signed on the lower right and measuring 16" high by 24" wide. The original oak frame measures 23 1/4 high x 31 1/2 wide.

Born in Marin County, California on October 30, 1856 on the family hacienda called Rancho San Jose (now Hamilton Field). A member of one of California's earliest families, Manuel was named for his grandfather who came to California with the Anza Party in 1774 and became administrator of the Presidio in San Francisco. The Valencias were given many land grants in the San Francisco Bay area and a street near Mission Dolores is named in honor of them.

Manuel attended Santa Clara College and then established a studio in San Francisco. He began painting while quite young and remained a self-taught artist except for a few lessons locally with Jules Tavernier and in Mexico City.

The earthquake and fire in 1906 caused the Valencias to move down the peninsula to San Jose; however he commuted to his San Francisco studio. There he was a staff artist for the Chronicle and an illustrator for the Salvation Army newspaper. Following an operation, he died in San Francisco on July 6, 1935. His ashes were scattered on Mount Tamalpais.

A prolific painter, Valencia is famous for his landscapes and historic scenes of Northern California, often with adobes, missions and pueblos. In: California Historical Society; Orange County, California; San Jose Historical Museum; Nevada Museum, Reno; Oakland Museum; Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino; Bohemian Club; State Capitol, Sacramento. A word about feedback and ratings: I want buyers to understand that good feedback and ratings are extremely important to me. If you feel that you are not able to leave good ratings for whatever reason please contact me and I will resolve the issue.

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