Artistic and cultural exchange between California and Mexico has flourished since the time when California was part of the United States of Mexico. The exhibition highlights this vital aspect of the state’s history through a panorama of works by artists on both sides of the border, from scenes of mission and rancho life through images of romantic Old California, to the emergence of a cross-border modern art scene.

This exhibition is curated by Professor Katherine E. Manthorne, The Graduate Center, CUNY, assisted by Professor Alberto Nulman, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

California Mexicana: Missions to Murals, 1820–1930 is part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, a far-reaching and ambitious exploration of Latin American and Latino art in dialogue with Los Angeles, taking place from September 2017 through January 2018 at more than 70 cultural institutions across Southern California. Led by the Getty, Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA is the latest collaborative effort from arts institutions across Southern California presenting thematically linked exhibitions and programs designed to celebrate the region’s vibrant cultural history.

Major support for the California Mexicana: Missions to Murals, 1820–1930 exhibition and publication is provided through grants from the Getty Foundation.

Additional support for the exhibition is provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art. The publication, edited by Professor Katherine E. Manthorne, authored by Professor Katherine E. Manthorne, Professor Alberto Nulman, Professor Clara Bargellini, and Professor Michael Komanecky, is supported by a grant from the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation.