San Francisco, CA
Details
Description
Davis Francis Schwartz "Historic First Theater, Monterey County" Original Watercolor C.1950
Watercolor dimensions 20" wide x 16" high
The distressed …
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Davis Francis Schwartz "Historic First Theater, Monterey County" Original Watercolor C.1950
Watercolor dimensions 20" wide x 16" high
The distressed period frame measures 26" wide x 22" high
Signed by the artist
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.
First Theater was built by English seaman Jack Swan in 1846-47 as a lodging house and tavern for sailors. He built the wood portion of the building in about 1845. He added the adobe portion in 1847, as the actual theater. It was used as a theatre in 1850. Lt. Alfred Sully, and others, produced plays under the direction of Actor/Manager Charles Bingham, and named it "The Union Theatre for the production of Melodramas". Swan built a small stage and provided benches, whale-oil lamps, candles for footlights and blankets as curtains.
In later years, the First Theatre was used as a lodging house for whalers, but fell into disrepair after Swan's death in 1896. It was purchased in 1906 by California Historic Landmarks League and donated to the State of California. In 1937 and until recently, the Troupers of the Gold Coast staged the first melodramas since the 1850s. Because of structural issues, the building is closed to the public except for the Christmas in the Adobes event in December. This building is a California Historical Landmark
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- Dimensions
- 26ʺW × 2ʺD × 22ʺH
- Styles
- Impressionist
- Frame Type
- Framed
- Art Subjects
- Landscape
- Architecture
- Period
- 1950s
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Printmaking Materials
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Tan
- Condition Notes
- Distressed period frame Distressed period frame less
San Francisco, CA
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