Serra's Mexico

By Craig Alan huber

Limited edition print portfolios honoring Saint Junípero and his accomplishments in Mexico prior to Alta California

Artwork and Introduction by Craig Alan Huber

Includes seven original 11x14 gelatin silver prints

Your choice of seven prints from a selection of 35 images

Each print under and over-matted to 16x20 inches with archival 4-ply

Housed in an archival black buckram portfolio case

Limited to an edition of 30 portfolios

15% of the profits to be donated to the Sierra Gorda Missions

Serra’s ship, the Guadalupe, finally anchored at Veracruz, Mexico on December 6, 1749, some 8 months after having left his home on Mallorca. Serra made the 250 mile journey to Mexico City on foot, in true Franciscan fashion while all but one other in his 20 person party made that journey on horseback. He arrived on New Years day, 1750, now over 7000 miles away from his home. There he would settle first at the College of San Fernando. Spending extended periods away from that base, over the next ten years he would found five new Franciscan Missions in the mountains of the Sierra Gorda.

Serra would not arrive in Baja California to begin his important Missionary work in the Californias until Good Friday, April 1, 1768. While he is best known for his work there, his 18 years in Mexico were spent honing his skills and preparing him for his ultimate challenge to the north. This portfolio and a resultant larger body of artwork honors the places Serra studied and delivered missions at during his formative years in Mexico.

From Mission Jalpan, founded circa 1758, to Mission Landa, founded 1768, the Spirit of place is revealed. Each scene was carefully envisioned – with patience I sought to feel a piece of Serra’s Spirit move through the frame during the long exposures, to capture It for posterity on film and later in print. My hope is that you can feel and see It as well.

– Craig Alan Huber, 2015

Source: Junípero Serra, California’s Founding Father, by Steven W. Hackel, 2013

You may also like