Born in Cosala, Sinaloa, Mexico, Fortunato Arriola was a painter and teacher of portraits, nocturnes, and luminous tropical landscapes, the latter which were especially popular in San Francisco in the late 19th century because so many settlers had traveled there through the Panama Canal. Most of his work, remembered views of Central America and Mexico, disappeared after he died.

Fortunato Arriola was a handsome, personable "ladies man" with a cultured background in Mexico and spoke several languages. His father was a wealthy landowner, and Fortunato maintained close ties with his homeland. His studio at the corner of Kearny and Clay Streets was a refuge for many Mexican exiles, and it was a rowdy environment with animated conversatio...