Oil on Panel by Eliza Barchus (1857-1959) of Mt. Rainier

Eliza Rosanna Lamb Barchus was a child of the "Wild West" born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1857. Her father died shortly after her birth, and her English born mother married Jack Mcdonald in itinerant worker. Eliza's youth was spent in a nomadic fashion wandering from town to town with her family, often encountering such well-known personalities as Wild Bill Hickock. She learned to work hard and developed the stamina that would see her through 102 years of life. She married at 17 and produced two children but soon divorced her first husband. Her second husband was John H. Barchus who moved with Eliza and her children to Portland, Oregon in 1880. Finally settled in one place she began to paint, her lifelong dream, and discovered a natural talent. Her love of nature along with her wanderlust led her to paint many of the West's most glorious mountain landscapes, most notably Mt. Hood, Mt. Ranier, and Mt. Shasta in California. Her second husband, John Barchus, died in 1899 leaving her to raise her children on her own. She was a prolific painter and later a dedicated art teacher. Her autobiography "Eliza R. Barchus, The Oregon Artist," is a testament to her rich history and pioneering spirit. Her works have hung in numerous museums throughout America and the world including the White House. She passed away in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 102 in 1959. In 1971, Eliza Barchus was recognized by the State of Oregon and rightly awarded the title, "The Oregon Artist."

Size of Frame: 19" Height x 17" Width

Size of image: 16" Height x 14" Width

Item ID: PS07-06-07-05