By the time of his death in Santa Barbara in 1919, Thaddeus Welch was considered one of California’s finest landscape painters. He achieved this success despite the disapproval of his father, criticism from his mentors, and decades of grinding poverty. He had triumphed over it all.

Welch's first big break came in 1874. A patron sent him to Munich to study art. Instructors there thought his use of light and color were too bold and they disapproved of his penchant for painting out-of-doors instead of working from sketchbooks in the studio. Yet, he finally won a number prizes.

The economic depression of the 1890s destroyed demand for Welch's work until members of San Francisco’s exclusive Bohemian Club spread the word about his talent, and collectors from the East began to take notice.