Edwin Deakin

Edwin Deakin began his artistic journey at age 12, apprenticed to a japanning firm where he learned to paint landscapes on decorative objects. Largely self-taught, he gained recognition for his architectural paintings by age 18 in both France and England. After moving to America in 1856, he settled in Chicago, exhibiting portraits of Civil War heroes. By 1870, Deakin had moved to San Francisco, where he became well-known for his paintings, regularly exhibiting with local art associations. He also traveled to Europe, painting scenes in Switzerland and France. Returning to San Francisco, Deakin spent his later years in Berkeley, CA, where he built a studio and focused on painting historic architecture and missions. His works are celebrated for their romantic, picturesque style, and his legacy includes detailed portrayals of California’s missions, Chinatown, and the 1906 earthquake.