The Napa Valley Museum Yountville is proud to announce: “Sophie Alstrom Mitchell: Wildflowers of the Napa Valley,” an exhibition showcasing the exquisite botanical watercolor paintings of this 19th century Napa Valley artist. The exhibition features 64 of her works from our permanent collection, all created between 1882 and 1888, many of which will be exhibited together for the first time.
Photo of Sophie Alstrom Mitchell with her husband, Rev. James Mitchell, and their sons John and James, 1889. Photo courtesy St. Helena Presbyterian Church.
Creators
Sophie Alstrom Mitchell (born Sophie Marie Nordstrom, 1858, in Sweden) moved to St Helena, in California’s Napa Valley, in the late 1800’s. Growing up at the White Sulphur Springs Hotel owned by her mother and stepfather Sven Ahlstrom, she developed a keen interest in native wildflowers. Later, romance blossomed into marriage between Sophie and the Rev. James Mitchell (founder of St Helena’s First Presbyterian Church), who gathered blooms on his travels across the valley and delivered them to his wife for paintings. The result was a series of skillful and colorful masterpieces showcasing the art of watercolor as well as the rich diversity of the region’s botanical offerings; over 150 species are depicted in these paintings.
Collaborators
The exhibition includes an historical video display by Napa Valley Roots.
Sponsors
The Museum thanks the supporters and sponsors of this exhibition, including:
The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kris and Jeff Jaeger in memory of Lila Jaeger and Joan Westgate, Henri Vandendriessche, Lynne Sellars, Jill Hancock, Benjamin & Katherine Caron, Linda Feutz, Napa Valley Roots, Mariam Hansen and the St Helena Historical Society, the St Helena Presbyterian Church and Nick Widman. and the Members and Supporters of the Napa Valley Museum. Napa Valley Museum Yountville NVMY and its exhibitions are supported in part by grants from: the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Yountville.
The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kris and Jeff Jaeger in memory of Lila Jaeger and Joan Westgate, Henri Vandendriessche, Lynne Sellars, Jill Hancock, Benjamin & Katherine Caron, Linda Feutz, Napa Valley Roots, Mariam Hansen and the St Helena Historical Society, the St Helena Presbyterian Church and Nick Widman. and the Members and Supporters of the Napa Valley Museum. Napa Valley Museum Yountville NVMY and its exhibitions are supported in part by grants from: the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Yountville.
