Mathew Barnes was known as a modernist painter who employed surrealistic techniques and themes. His paintings were usually dark scenes with the presence of strange figures.

Born in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1880, Barnes moved to the United States in 1904, settling first in New York then moving to San Francisco, California in 1906. He had been trained as an ornamental plasterer in Scotland and upon his arrival in post-earthquake San Francisco, used his skills to help rebuild the city.

A self-taught painter, Barnes worked on his art while living in San Francisco where he helped Diego Rivera paint the murals in the California School of Fine Art. During the 1920s and 1930s Barnes exhibited his work at the San Fra...