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Alexander Harmer – Black & White

Between 1912-1929 the Franciscan scholar, Fr. Zephryrin Engelhardt, O.F.M. published a comprehensive five-volume study Missions and Missionaries of California. He also began work on the first definitive books of each of the missions. Initially, Fr. Engelhardt worked with Arthur Burnside Dodge (1863-1952), who was then Art Director of the Los Angeles Times. Dodge completed seven of the early illustrations. Fr. Engelhardt then engaged Alexander Harmer (1856-1925), who ultimately contributed over 80% of the drawings.

The drawings in this gallery cover a wide range of events from the founding of the first missions in San Diego in 1769 to the raising of the United States flag in Monterey in 1846.

Over the years, we have licensed the use of many of these images to the Smithsonian, the Getty Museum, the California Museum and made them available to mission scholars, authors and video producers. We also have the ability to provide museum-quality prints for individuals and institutions who seek an historic image.

Indians Dancing
Indians DancingIndians Dancing, 1769, Alexander Harmer, On Portola Expedition
Fr. Serra Gives Thanks for Return of Supply Ship San Antonio
Fr. Serra Gives Thanks for Return of Supply Ship San AntonioFr. Serra Gives Thanks for Return of Supply Ship San Antonio, 3-19-1770, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Diego area
Martyrdom of Fr. Luis Jayme at Mission San Diego
Martyrdom of Fr. Luis Jayme at Mission San DiegoMartyrdom of Fr. Luis Jayme at Mission San Diego, 11-1775, Alexander Harmer, 2nd Location
Don Fernando de Rivera Violates Church Asylum
Don Fernando de Rivera Violates Church AsylumDon Fernando de Rivera Violates Church Asylum, 1776, Alexander Harmer, Temporary Church at Mission San Diego
Departing for the California Missions
Departing for the California MissionsDeparting for the California Missions, Mission-Era, Alexander Harmer, Apostolic College of San Fernando in Mexico City
Franciscan Missionaries as They Came and Went
Franciscan Missionaries as They Came and WentFranciscan Missionaries as They Came and Went, Mission-Era, Alexander Harmer
Building the Mission
Building the MissionBuilding the Mission, Mission-Era, Alexander Harmer
Crushing Soaked Corn on Metate
Crushing Soaked Corn on MetateCrushing Soaked Corn on Metate, Mission-Era, Alexander Harmer
Fr. Juan Cabot Exploring for Mission Sites
Fr. Juan Cabot Exploring for Mission SitesFr. Juan Cabot Exploring for Mission Sites, 1812-1814, Alexander Harmer, Tulares Valley
Soldiers Preparing to Attack Mission Santa Bárbara
Soldiers Preparing to Attack Mission Santa BárbaraSoldiers Preparing to Attack Mission Santa Bárbara, 1824, Alexander Harmer
Soldier Shooting an Indian during Recapture of Mission Santa Bárbara
Soldier Shooting an Indian during Recapture of Mission Santa BárbaraSoldier Shooting an Indian during Recapture of Mission Santa Bárbara, 1824, Alexander Harmer
Violent Arrest of Fr. Luís A. Martinez
Violent Arrest of Fr. Luís A. MartinezViolent Arrest of Fr. Luís A. Martinez, 1830, Mission San Luis Obispo
Juan B. Alvarado Harangues the Indians
Juan B. Alvarado Harangues the IndiansJuan B. Alvarado Harangues the Indians, 1831 Alexander Harmer, Mission San Miguel
Fr. Peyri's Farewell and Last Blessing
Fr. Peyri's Farewell and Last BlessingFr. Peyri's Farewell and Last Blessing, 1832, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Luis Rey / San Diego Harbor
The Landing of the Zacatecan Franciscans
The Landing of the Zacatecan FranciscansThe Landing of the Zacatecan Franciscans, 1-15-1833, Alexander Harmer, Monterey (Governor Figueroa Present)
Fr. Duran and His Mission Band
Fr. Duran and His Mission BandFr. Duran and His Mission Band, c. 1833, Alexander Harmer, Mission San José / Mission Santa Bárbara
Indians Refuse to Work for Captain Portilla
Indians Refuse to Work for Captain PortillaIndians Refuse to Work for Captain Portilla, 1834, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Luis Rey
Neophytes on the Road from ex-Mission After Secularization
Neophytes on the Road from ex-Mission After SecularizationNeophytes on the Road from ex-Mission After Secularization, 1834, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Luis Rey to Oceanside
Cause of Disappearance of the Indians - Whiskey Shop
Cause of Disappearance of the Indians - Whiskey ShopCause of Disappearance of the Indians - Whiskey Shop, mid-1830's, Alexander Harmer, Los Angeles
Failed Attempt to Expel Father-President Duran from California
Failed Attempt to Expel Father-President Duran from CaliforniaFailed Attempt to Expel Father-President Duran from California, c. 1834-35, Alexander Harmer, Santa Bárbara Harbor
Remains of Fr. Sarría Being Taken for Burial
Remains of Fr. Sarría Being Taken for BurialRemains of Fr. Sarría Being Taken for Burial, 1835, from Mission Soledad to Mission San Antonio de Padua
Funeral of Gov. José Figueroa
Funeral of Gov. José FigueroaFuneral of Gov. José Figueroa, 1835, Alexander Harmer, Mission Santa Bárbara
Fr. Narciso Durán Distracted
Fr. Narciso Durán DistractedFr. Narciso Durán Distracted, 1836, Alexander Harmer, Convento of Santa Bárbara
Fr. Duran Hears Complaints of the Neophytes
Fr. Duran Hears Complaints of the NeophytesFr. Duran Hears Complaints of the Neophytes, 1839, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Fernando Rey
Unwelcome Visitors to be Fed at Mission Expense
Unwelcome Visitors to be Fed at Mission ExpenseUnwelcome Visitors to be Fed at Mission Expense, 1840, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Gabriel Arcángel
Fr. Ibarra Forced to Suffer the Rudeness of the Cowboys
Fr. Ibarra Forced to Suffer the Rudeness of the CowboysFr. Ibarra Forced to Suffer the Rudeness of the Cowboys, 1840's, Alexander Harmer, Mission San Luis Rey
Reception of Bishop García Diego
Reception of Bishop García DiegoReception of Bishop García Diego, 1843, Alexander Harmer, Mission Santa Bárbara
Raising of Bear Flag in Sonoma
Raising of Bear Flag in SonomaRaising of Bear Flag in Sonoma, 1846, Alexander Harmer, On the town square, across from Mission San Francisco Solano
Raising of Flag of United States in Monterey
Raising of Flag of United States in MontereyRaising of Flag of United States in Monterey, 1846, Alexander Harmer, Monterey Harbor
Mission Santa Bárbara
Mission Santa BárbaraMission Santa Bárbara, 1794, Alexander Harmer, Second Church
Mission San Rafael Arcángel
Mission San Rafael ArcángelMission San Rafael Arcángel, c. 1822, Alexander Harmer
Mission San Francisco Solano
Mission San Francisco SolanoMission San Francisco Solano, c. 1827, Alexander Harmer, Sonoma
Mission Santa Bárbara
Mission Santa BárbaraMission Santa Bárbara - Leaving After Divine Services at Mission, 1824, Alexander Harmer

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