The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-05
A HISTORICAL PAINTING,
Its Subject the First Entry of a
Sailing Vessel Into This
Bay.
Programme of the Concert to Take
Place at the Hopkins InSti.
tute Tonight.

Professor George Davidson had con-
ference with James D. PhelaD, president
of the Art Association, and Edward Bos-
oui, chairman of the School of Design
committee of the association, yesterday.
1t was agreed to add new subject Tor the
selection by artists in the Phelan prize
competition. 1t is the first entry OF sail
ing vessel into San Francisco Bay, which
Professor Davidson claims is the San Carlos
in 1775.
This gives the artist an opportunity OF
painting the bay from almost any point,
and greatly enhances the scope of the
work Professor Davidson promises to
write sketch of those times, rich IN his
toric associations, which will be given the
artists as a guide in the historic part OF
their work.
The conference was the result of the fol-
lowing letter:
SAN FRANCISCO Cal, Nov. %, 1895.
Mr.. Edl1ard BOsqui, San Frdncisco-MY DEAR
SIR: l was delighted to. see the report that
James D. Phelan had offered prize to Cali
fornia artists for paintings illustrative OF GER
tain epochs IN the history of discovery on the
Pacific Coast of America. Mr.. Phelan names
three epochs-the discovery OF the Pacific, the
discovery of California by Cabrillo and the
discovery of San FRANCISCO Bay by Portala: As
largely treated, suggest dropping that sub
ject-the more especially as the standpoint is
too far from the home and study OF our art
lists. And of California discoveries ,n which
have taken a little interest, suggest that you
| might bring several points for the further con-
sheraton of Mr.. Phelan.
l suggest that in this peculiarly Californian
production the paintings be character
istic OF the scenery as we'll as OF the personages
| And it may De question whether the figures
| shall be upon the deck of the picturesque
| vessel of 1912, with the land ana the port in
view, or upon the land with the natives added
| to the figures of the discoveries, with water,
| vessel and landscape subordinated. However,
| | shall not intrude my views thereon, although
| this was suggested by the discovery of San
| Diego Bay. When Cabrillo and Ferrelo dis
| covered The Coast of California (as we know it
today they were Apr )aching the compare
| lively lowridge of Point Iona, under which
| they discovered the obscure and narrow en-
| trance to the Bay OF San Diego, wherein they
anchored and made friends of the natives.
The landscape in this region has little of in
| Jerest in il.
| Cabrillo's struggles northward give grand
views from seward under the ocean barrier Of
| the Sierra Santa Lucia. His death at Port Pos
| session was the loss of one of Spain's many
| heroes, and full of pathos The epoch OF the
| intense interest. Unfortunately Cabrilio and
| Ferrelo missed it. l have located Portala at
| Point San Pedro, thirteen miles south of Point
Lobos. l am sure 1 can place myself on the
| spot whence Sergeant Ortega first caught q
| glimpse of the bay of San Francisco, November
1. 1869. Portala, CostanZo, Rivera and Father
| Crespi few days afterward had the same view
on their journey to the bay shores, surrounded
by their mule train and native guides Their
view of the bay was bounded on the north by
San Bruno mountain, on the east by Contra
Costa hills, to the southeast by Mount Hamil-
ton. And may recall to your recollection two
or three more picturesque views of slightly
later date, but relating to San Francisco Bay.
In 1772 CommandaDte Pedro FACES and Father
Crespi first saw the Golden Gate from the hills
of Berkeley.
| In 1774 the expedition from Monterey first
saw the entrance of the Golden Gate from the
summit of Point Lobos, where they raised and
where such views can be seen from Point
Lobos. In 1775 the San Carlos was the first
vessel that entered the Golden Gate. In 1776
| the Presidio of San Francisco, overlooking the
Golden Gate, was founded, ana soon after the
Mission of Our Father of San Francisco de AS
sise was established-both of these events with
| all the ceremony of church and state. Yours
very sincerely, GEORGE DAVIDSON.
The directors of the association will dis
tribute free the forty paintings contributed
by local artists among the members of the
organization on the evening of Saturday,
the 14th. The paintings will be given by lot,
and all the members are urged to person.
ally attend the exhibition on the evening
of the l4th that they may take part in the
drawing.
The concert of the art exhibition will
take place at the institute tonight under
the direction of Henry Heyman, with the
following programme:
Organ overture, "Faust." by Emelio Cruells
| song, "Loves Sorrow" by Miss Emma A Haas
violin solo, Benjamin Tuttle, accompanied by
S. Eby; Beethoven's organ "Rondo, by Emello
| Cruells; song, "Forget Me Not" Miss Emma A.
Haas; violin solo, "Legende,' Benjamin Tut
tie; song, waiting" Mrs. F. s. Ely.