The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Summer 2001, Volume 47, Number 3
Gregg Hennessey, Editor
The Coming Storm
Ammi Merchant Farnham
American, 1845-1922
Oil on Canvas, circa 1906
Signed LR: A. M. Farnham
14 x 24 1/8 inches
Courtesy of Estelle and Jim Milch
Presidio Hill and Palms, Old Town
Ammi Merchant Farnham
American, 1845-1922
Oil on Canvas, 1890
Signed LR: A. M. Farnham
Inscribed on stretcher: “May 1890/Old Palms/Old Town/San Diego Cal./Presidio Hill & Palms/Old Town/H.H.F. [initials of artist’s son]”
16 x 20 inches
Gift of Frances E. Symons, 95.122.2
Torrey Pines
Ammi Merchant Farnham
American, 1845-1922
Oil on Canvas
Signed LR: A. M. Farnham
14 x 27 inches
Courtesy of Susan and Bill Evans
Farnham, Ammi Merchant (1846-1922)
Painter, etcher
Born in Silver Creek, New York on January 23, 1846. Farnham began his art career at age 12. At 18 he studied at the Munich Academy and with Frank Duveneck at the Royal Academy of Bavaria. Back home, he was curator of the Buffalo Academy of Fine Arts for many years. As a professional portrait painter, he exhibited in New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago and other U.S. cities. After settling in San Diego, California in 1886, he continued his ties to Buffalo and often stopped there en route to Europe. Farnham died in San Diego on July 20, 1922. His oeuvre includes portraits, figures, and landscapes in oil and watercolor. His atmospheric landscapes were often painted in late afternoon. Exhibited: Panama-California Exposition, San Diego, 1915 (silver medal); California Pacific Int’l Exposition, San Diego, 1935. Works held: San Diego Historical Society; San Diego Museum of Art; Buffalo & Erie Co. (NY) Historical Society. Source: PAP; San Diego History Center.
