This is a photograph of a painting by Chris Siemer titled "Balboa, discovering the Pacific Ocean". It depicts the Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador, Vasco Nu´n~ez de Balboa discovering the Pacific Ocean in 1513. Balboa became the first European to lead an expedition known to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World. Although the subject matter seen here is that of Vasco Nu´n~ez de Balboa, this painting was possibly one of many that Siemer created for display by the L.A. Chamber of Commerce. Muralist, painter Christian Siemer (1874-1940) was born in New Zealand and settled in Los Angeles in 1906 at the age of 32. He was soon commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce to paint a series of mural-size canvases to promote the area. A master of color and composition, architecture was often included in his paintings. Siemer resided and was active in Los Angeles until his death on February 6, 1940.
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