Images(2)

People resting in the Presidio

Artist Chiura Obata (American, 1885 - 1975)

Place of OriginSan Francisco

DateLate April, 1906

MaterialsWatercolor and graphite on paper

DimensionsOverall: H. 5 in × W. 7 1/2 in (12.7 cm × 19.1 cm)

Credit LineGift from the Estate of Chiura Obata

Object number2021.37

DepartmentJapanese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

Portfolioseries no. 5

InscribedVerso: 震災後の桑港（五）千浦[花押] 明治三十九年四月末プレシデオ兵営の中海岸にそふて緑林あり涼しき蔭？？あり人々喝を[癒]し労をやしなわんとして集ふ [English translation of Japanese verso inscription: "San Francisco after the earthquake (5), Chiura / Late April, 1906 (Meiji 39) / In the Presidio barracks, along the shore, there is a greenwood with leafy shade There people gather to relieve their thirst and exhaustion"]

More Information

The back of this sketch is inscribed, “In the Presidio barracks, along the shore, there is a greenwood with leafy shade. There people gather to relieve their thirst and exhaustion.” Obata’s picture of the scene shows three men facing away, their shoulders hunched with fatigue as they quench their thirst from the jugs to their right. Will the lush scenery around them help refresh their spirits?

After the earthquake four refugee camps were established in the Presidio. The location shown here may be a spot near Marshall Beach, which was close to Camp 3. Set in an isolated, windy area above the Pacific shore on the West side of the Presidio, Camp 3 was reserved for refugees from Chinatown.