Collections Highlights – Paintings of John Temple and Rafaela Cota

Oil Paintings of John Temple and Rafaela Cota de Temple

Date: 1856

Artist: William S. Jewett

These two portraits, which feature John Temple and his wife Rafaela Cota de Temple, were painted by William S. Jewett, a pioneer California portrait artist. John Temple, born in Massachusetts, purchased Rancho Los Cerritos in 1843 from his wife’s relatives, the Cota Family. The adobe house that serves as a National Historic Landmark was built by Temple in 1844 as a headquarters for his large-scale cattle operation. He sold Rancho Los Cerritos in 1866 to the firm Flint, Bixby & Co. for $20,000.

Donated by Marguerite R. Guthrie

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