A collaboration with the Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library

The California mission system left behind an architectural legacy, which artist Edwin Deakin began to document in the 1890s. By that time, several of the missions were in a state of disrepair and decay and there was growing alarm that California would lose these architectural monuments of its past. Deakin captured the missions in two sets of oils and one in watercolor, often traveling by wagon to make surveys on site. The result is an unparalleled artistic record and Deakin’s outstanding achievement.

In partnership with the Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library we present his twenty-one oils from their collection alongside the watercolors from ours, for the first time. Both collections have been carefully preserved for future generations.

Open to the Public:  October 5, 2023 - February 18, 2024

Member Preview      Thursday, October 5 at 4:30 pm
1st Thursday             Thursday, October 5 from 5-8pm

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will host a talk by Monica Orozco, Executive Director of Old Mission Santa Barbara.