California State Capitol, Sacramento
Have you visited the California State Capitol in Sacramento? It’s a great opportunity to see where the Golden State conducts its business, learn a little more about the state’s history and lay eyes on a large collection of exhibits that have played a part in California’s story. And then there’s the History of California — the murals at the State Capitol.
The History of California at the State Capitol
We were at the State Capitol a few years back and it was at the very end of our self-guided tour that we happened upon these murals. They were in a space dedicated to them and I felt they had to have a post of their own. So here they are! I’m taking you to the basement of the rotunda at the California State Capitol to see the murals that tell the story of California.
Titled History of California, these murals date back to 1913 when they were commissioned to well-known artist Arthur F Mathews. This artist from San Francisco went on to present the state’s history in the form of triptychs. There are four of them (a total of 12 panels) in this hall of murals, and each set portrays a different period of California’s History.
The first three panels are said to depict the arrival of white people. The next set talks of the Spanish occupation and the missions era. The triptych that follows that, deals with the discovery of gold and the influx of prospectors — another period that shaped the story of California. The last set of murals is dedicated to urbanization and the development that came about with the Gold Rush and beyond.
As for the style of art you see here, the official site says, ‘they are an example of a regional artistic style known as California Decorative’ — a combination of ‘romantic classicism and idealism with a Renaissance color palette and California imagery.’
Where to find these murals at the California State Capitol
If you’d like to see these murals when you are in Sacramento or inside the California State Capitol itself, look for them in the basement where the gift shop and dining rooms are. It’s a circular space with a statue of Ronald Reagan (CA’s 33rd Governor, may I remind you) in the centre of the room.
More about the tour of the Capitol —
The Golden State’s Seat of Power
Here is a collection of the smaller stories that make the big picture of The History of California:
Linking to —
Monday Mural on Colourful World
More —
Murals on TftT
For fun stuff from the road, Like/Follow Tipsy From The TRIP on Facebook or Instagram
Come, Trip with us. 😉
Great historical murals Dee. Thanks for participating in Monday Murals.
Thank you for hosting, Sami.
Have a great week! 🙂
I enjoyed this incredible exploration of California’s rich history through the captivating murals, Dee.
Happy Monday!
Thank you, Veronica.
Have a superb week ahead!
…these murals look similar to the Post Office, Works Progress Administration murals that were painted in 1935-1938 that employed artist during the Great depression. Thanks Dee for sharing them, have a wonderful week.
… maybe because they are historical murals painted in a certain period …?
I’d like to go see more works of this particular artist. I’m quite sure I’ll find some around here.
(And I’ll surely share them, here. :D)
Thank ‘you’ for coming this way, Tom.
You too — have a wonderful week! 🙂
Interesting art beautifully preserved for posterity.
Oh yes! Definitely for posterity. It’s perfect that they’re in the State Capitol and will be taken care of.
History in art. 🙂
Looks amazing
There was quite a lot to see there. 🙂
Thank you for coming this way, Rupam.
I have never been inside the capitol building. Perhaps I could remedy that this year. Thanks for the tip.
It’s an easy trip for us. And you’ll find it interesting, M. 🙂