Ford, Henry Chapman

Learn about the artists we sell at John Moran Auctions

Within this section you may browse and research the many artists we have sold at auction.

Artists are listed by last name. Click the artist name for a complete background profile; click icon images for larger views. Search by name in the Search Box, or jump around by clicking on any of the letters below.

*The following search function may not work properly with all web browsers. If this is the case, you can use the alphabetical indeces below to narrow your search.

Search CalArt

Latest News

Who We Are

California Art Auction is a service of John Moran Auctioneers, the leading auction house specializing in California art.

Ford, Henry Chapman

Henry Chapman Ford was best known for his paintings of the entire chain of twenty-one California missions. He was born in Livonia, New York in 1828, but he pursued his studies in Paris and Florence during the late 1850's.

He was a Civil War illustrator and veteran, and as soon as he was discharged from service, he settled in Chicago, Illinois. In Chicago, Ford became an accomplished landscapist, "the first professional landscape painter in that city" (Taft. 294) He was one of the founders of the Chicago Academy of Design and served as President in 1873. The studio that Ford kept in Chicago burned down in 1871.

During this period, he made several trips to Colorado, 1866 and 1869. In 1875,
due to his desire to have a warmer climate, Ford moved to a milder climate, settling in Santa Barbara, California. In the summers of 1880 and 1881, he traveled by horse and buggy to each mission site south of Santa Barbara. On the mission grounds, Ford made pencil drawings and painted sketches.

Source:
Edan Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940
Robert Taft, Artists and Illustrators of the Old West

Join the John Moran Auctioneers mailing list

Be first to find out what’s new!

Find out the latest in exclusive alerts and auction events, join our email list today! Be the first to be notified about new acquisitions or consignment opportunities. At John Moran Auctioneers, we consider your privacy to be our primary importance; we do not share your information or inquires with anyone, period.

At the bottom of each email you will be provided with the option to update your collecting interests, or unsubscribe from future mailings. You may also send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and request that your email address be changed or removed from our list.

Join the John Moran Auctioneers mailing list

Be first to find out what’s new!

Find out the latest in exclusive alerts and auction events, join our email list today! Be the first to be notified about new acquisitions or consignment opportunities. At John Moran Auctioneers, we consider your privacy to be our primary importance; we do not share your information or inquires with anyone, period.

At the bottom of each email you will be provided with the option to update your collecting interests, or unsubscribe from future mailings. You may also send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and request that your email address be changed or removed from our list.