The Mission Dolores at Carmel is one of the oldest and most interesting in California. Its history is as vibrant and colourful as the flowers in the cloister garden, and the artist has captured the spirit of both in his painting. The romance of old Spain is felt in the architecture, warmed and mellowed by three centuries of sunshine. With inspiration of this kind, it is not suprising that Carmel-by-the-Sea is so popular with writers and artists.