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Will Sparks: California Mission Paintings
Extended through June 8, 2007

The current temporary exhibition at the Leland Stanford Mansion features a series of paintings by California artist, Will Sparks. During the 1930’s, Will Sparks took on the challenge of painting every California mission. Sparks completed his series of oil on canvas paintings just two days before his death in 1937. These romantic, jewel-like views of California’s mission heritage will be on view at the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park from through June 8, 2007. The collection, including Sparks’ signed artist’s palette, is on loan to the Leland Stanford Mansion from Trotter Galleries of Carmel.

The crumbling adobe walls and overgrown mission gardens of California’s missions inspired romantic interpretations by nineteenth century artists and writers. Artwork, literature and photography depicting the missions helped develop a growing interest in preserving these historic structures, an effort that began in the 1890’s and continues to this day. The exhibition at the Leland Stanford Mansion also features historic photographs by Harry C. Peterson, and documentary photographs of the Civilian Conservation Corps restoration of La Purisima Mission. The Will Sparks exhibition gives us the opportunity to reflect on the impact that the missions have had on California’s history.

Will Sparks was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1862. Although he studied medicine and anatomy at the St. Louis Medical College, he decided to pursue a career in art. His early training served him well; Sparks supported himself by working as an anatomical illustrator for Louis Pasteur while studying art in Paris. He returned to the United States and exhibited at the St. Louis Expo of 1886. Sparks met Mark Twain in St. Louis that year and was inspired to move to California by Twain’s colorful descriptions of the state.

The exhibition can be viewed in the Mansion’s Ballroom, while on a guided tour of the Leland Stanford Mansion. To make arrangements for a group to have an extended viewing time, please call 324-9322.
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