William Marple: Mount Tamalpais from Napa Slough (1869)

The name “Tamalpais” derives from the Coast Miwok name for the mountain, támal pájiṣ, which means “west hill.” The Coast Miwok numbered between 1,500 and 2,000 before the arrival of Europeans to the area, but were decimated by  diseases brought by the invaders. They are now members of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

Born in New York City, Marple was a self-taught artist who first journeyed to California to mine for gold in the 1840’s. Later, he worked as a sign and house painter, and then began painting landscapes.