Charles Joseph DICKMAN

1863 - 1943

Charles John Dickman, a painter, lithographer, and muralist, was born on May 14, 1863 in Demmin, Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1865. During his teens he worked for lithographers in Detroit and New York City before moving to San Francisco in 1882. His art studies were begun under Virgil Williams at the local School of Design. During 1886-1896 he and two partners maintained the Dickman-Jones-Hettrick Lithograph Company. He then sailed for Paris for five years of study at Académies Colarossi and Julian under Laurens and Constant, and in Munich with Carl Marr. While there he painted several views of the French coast near Etaples. Returning to California in 1901, he lived in Monterey where Dickman Street is named for him. A close friend and sketching partner of William Keith, early in the century he was dubbed "California's Painter of Sunshine." After returning to San Francisco in 1914, he had a studio at 628 Montgomery Street. During the Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915, Dickman was a member of the jury of awards. His last years were spent as a resident of the Bohemian Club where he died on October 24, 1943. Exhibited: Paris Salon, 1899, 1900; Bohemian Club, 1899, 1903; California State Fair, 1900; San Francisco Painters, Palace Hotel, 1903; Del Monte Art Gallery, 1907-10; Panama Pacific International Exposition, 1915; San Francisco Art Ass'n annuals. Works held: Borox Co. (Oakland); Santa Cruz City Museum; Oakland Syndicate Bldg (mural); Bohemian Club; Crocker Museum (Sacramento); Oakland Museum; California Historical Society.