The story begins with an extraordinary discovery...
In 1976, sixty-four luminous watercolor paintings of exceptional quality were discovered in a New England attic. The paintings, dated 1882 to 1888, depicted over 150 unique and often rare species of California wildflowers. The artist was eventually identified as Sophie Alstrom Mitchell, a botanical watercolorist who lived in 19th century St Helena in the Napa Valley.
“Sophie Alstrom Mitchell: Wildflowers of the Napa Valley” showcases the exquisite botanical watercolor paintings of a 19th century Napa Valley artist. The exhibition features 64 of her works from the Museum’s permanent collection, all created between 1882 and 1888, many of which are exhibited together for the first time, plus additional material from the archives. Over 150 species of indigenous wildflowers - some now extinct - are depicted in these paintings in vivid color, before the advent of color photography.
Together they pay tribute to the talent and meticulous attention to detail of a sweet, quiet and humble minister’s wife who raised two sons, helped run the family prune and walnut orchard, taught Sunday school and brought flowers to the Church each Sunday, while artfully preserving for all time the wild beauty and diversity of the region’s native uncultivated flowers.
About the Artist:
Sophie Alstrom Mitchell (born Sophie Marie Nordstrom, 1858, in Sweden) moved to St Helena, in California’s Napa Valley, in the late 1800’s. Growing up at the White Sulphur Springs Hotel owned by her mother and stepfather Sven Ahlstrom, she developed a keen interest in native wildflowers. Later, romance blossomed into marriage between Sophie and the Rev. James Mitchell (founder of St Helena’s First Presbyterian Church), who gathered blooms on his travels across the valley and delivered them to his wife for paintings. The result was a series of skillful and colorful masterpieces showcasing the art of watercolor as well as the rich diversity of the region’s indigenous botanical offerings.
Collaborators
The exhibition includes an historical video display by Napa Valley Roots.
Thank you to Bank of America
Our friends at Bank of America generously sponsored the creation of the Sophie Alstrom Mitchell 2026 wall calendar, which funded high resolution scans of 12 of Sophie's images. Support this effort by purchasing this exquisite (and useful) tribute to Napa Valley's wildflowers, its history, and its pioneering women, and you not only support the museum arts and eduction programs, but increase the chance we'll be able to scan another 12 next year! Purchase HERE - limited quantities remain.
Sponsors
The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kris and Jeff Jaeger in memory of Lila Jaeger and Joan Westgate, Henri Vandendriessche, Lynne Sellars, Jill Hancock, Benjamin & Katherine Caron, Linda Feutz, Napa Valley Roots, Mariam Hansen and the St Helena Historical Society, the St Helena Presbyterian Church and Nick Widman. and the Members and Supporters of the Napa Valley Museum. Napa Valley Museum Yountville NVMY and its exhibitions are supported in part by grants from: the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Yountville.
