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Oakland, Alameda, and East Bay, California
John W. Winkler Signature Initial |
San Francisco Chinatown Etchings Etchings of San Francisco's Chinatown are among the first (1912) and most numerous that Winkler made. The Chinatown of that time represented a foreign country within San Francisco. The busy streets, people, and surroundings, were full of rich and individual detail that Winkler liked. He was fascinated by the sidewalk stalls, odd boxes, the handsome utilitarian baskets, bales, tubs, and jars from China. The horse drawn wagons of Teel & Company delivered these wares from the incoming ships from China. A large wheel in front helped balance the goods going up and down steep hills. Winkler had many adventures during the Tong wars but managed to remain friendly with the Chinese people. At that time some Chinamen wore pigtails and some women still had bound feet. Standing for hours on end, he recorded the life of the Chinese Community, usually drawing directly with the needle onto the etching plate. In drawing Chinatown subjects he had learned to work swiftly and to have a good memory. When Chinese noticed him drawing, doors would close, shades come down, and people disappear.
For
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A Busy Day in Chinatown Self Portrait John W. Winkler Appears at bottom center |
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