Oakland Museum of California has many gems of the California experience including native baskets and artifacts, gold rush era paintings, modern painting, installations, sculpture, and the large singular canvas, San Francisco in 1849. George Henry Burgess emigrated to San Francisco and is listed with his address in the Crocker Langley directories. Years ago my grandmother sent me a newspaper article about him, wondering if there might be a relation. I have not found a connection. A Wikipedia entry outlines his life. The painting has been of interest for me for a long time.
As Mr. Burgess’s painting explores the industry hub, and what became San Francisco, the fascination for many historians is the way the modern city formed and grew from the harbor. For example, ships became residences and later were absorbed into the landfill. I found that some of my family members were living in the area on First Street and working in multiple foundries.
The Museum of the City of San Francisco article on Yerba Buena Before the Gold Rush offers an idea of the ramshackle qualities of the port, “There were about a dozen houses and fifty residents in Yerba Buena by 1844. But in 1846 the Hudson Bay Company sold its holdings and left; a move that largely cut down the number of settlers. For some reason, however, the new town proved a magnet for nomads and sailors deserting vessel, and towards the close of 1846 there were some ninety buildings, shanties, adobes and frame houses, and about 200 inhabitants.”
The painting is featured in a gallery inviting inspection and reflection. There is a cushioned bench in front of the work. The details of the composition create many paintings within the painting. In sum, the painting announces the burgeoning industry of 1849. It is fascinating to view and find the presentation of a day with commerce, establishments, workers, and a projection of what was to transpire. One potent image is of two carpenters swinging hammers on a ridge beam.
From a formal standpoint, I like the image of the two Vaqueros. The dirt that Burgess painted acts as a neutral mass to accentuate the riders, and the colors of the horses and their dress.
By Drew Burgess
Drew Burgess is an art instructor at the College of Alameda of the Peralta Community College District of California.
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California
Works Cited:
The Museum of the City of San Francisco, “Yerba Buena Before the Gold Rush”, accessed July 15, 2026, https://sfmuseum.org/hist1/early.html
Wikipedia, “George Henry Burgess”, accessed July 15, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Henry_Burgess
Cite this page: Drew Burgess, “George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oakland Museum of California”, July 15, 2026, https://www.drewburgess.art/museum-visits/2026/7/15/george-henry-burgess-san-francisco-in-1849-oakland-museum-of-california
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California
George Henry Burgess, San Francisco in 1849, Oil on Canvas, Oakland Museum of California