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There were people trained in art that came west to strike it rich in the gold fields of California. Many of these artists intended to find gold quickly and return home. This didn't always happen and when it didn't, many would return to the profession for which they were trained. These artists made many pencil drawings and paintings of the journey to California and scenes from the daily life in the Gold Rush towns and mining camps. These people eventually helped make San Francisco the cultural community of the West coast. |
Many artists were commissioned by wealthy San Francisco businessmen in the 1870s to paint their romantic memories of the Gold Rush times. Some of the artists would get their ideas and feelings for a painting from literature and from songwriters of the day. Their work served as a documentary and often showed the pioneering spirit. Most of these artists never saw the California Gold Rush themselves. Much of the artwork from this era was destroyed by fire, floods, or earthquakes.
Read about other aspects of the culture associated with the Gold Rush:
