David Dalhoff Neal - San Francisco (1857-1861)

San Francisco (1857-1861)

In 1857, at the age of 19, Neal settled in San Francisco. He was hired as a draughtsman on wood by a friendly wood-engraver, who took an interest in him, and taught him the art. Soon after, he became the city's best ink drawer upon blocks used by engravers. In fact, his sketching ability was so good that he was hired, from time to time, by the police for likenesses of criminals for the Rogue's Gallery. The first exhibit of his work was at the San Francisco Mechanics' Institute in 1857, and his second was at the 1859 California State Fair. After two years he earned enough money to return to New England for a short while to take art classes at the Andover Academy, but returned to San Francisco when his money ran out. Once back, Neal quickly established himself as one of the city's best portrait artists. He painted portraits of Rev. Mark Hopkins, millionaire Ogden Mills, Judge Hoffman, and Mayor Adolph Sutro, to name a few. While living in California, Neal became friends with Bret Harte and Charles Christian Nahl, with whom he learned many of his early painting techniques.

In an interview with art critic Wilfrid Meynell, Neal recalls the conversation, which brought him to Munich:

A wealthy individual happened upon David as he was painting, and after a moment he simply asked; "When do you intend to go to Europe?"
David replied; "As soon as I have the means."
"How much have you?"
"Eight hundred dollars."
"Well, my wife and I are going to New York by the next steamer. You had better go along."
So, with that, and after four years in San Francisco, 1861 he was off to Munich to attend the Royal Academy.