Gold Rush: 1848–1860: "I Saw the Elephant"

Click image to zoom in.
Or view larger version. Mountain Jack and a Wandering Miner. ca. 1851. E. Hall Martin. Oil paint on canvas. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. Gift of Concours d’Antiques, Art Guild.

This image depicts a mountain man and a miner on top of a mountain. It is believed that Mountain Jack is the artist’s representation of Six-Fingered Jack, a legendary folk character from Gold Rush lore. The legend of Mountain Jack claims that he was able to point to places where gold would be found.

More information about this Topic