Between 1926 and 1945, Jo Mora created 15 cartes (maps) of various western cities and regions. After Mora’s death, other authorized parties created updated and/or colorized versions of Mora’s cartes, such that 21 distinct Jo Mora cartes exist today. While Mora is remembered for many kinds of art-making, today he is arguably best remembered for his cartes.

At a minimum, effective cartography (map-making) requires design and technical skills. To these Mora, working in a pictorial map style, added his detailed knowledge of history, his considerable skills as an illustrator and cartoonist, and his unique aesthetic sensibility to create works that delight, fascinate, and endure.

Mora created his first poster-sized carte, of the Monterey Peninsula, in 1926. He subsequently created cartes of California, San Diego, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Santa Catalina Island, The Salinas Rodeo and Cowboys, The Americas, Seventeen Mile Drive, North American Indians, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Los Angeles. In 1945, Mora completed his final carte, for California again, this time with new features like the Golden Gate Bridge, which has been built after the first California carte was completed.

Monterey History and Art is pleased to share with you the most comprehensive exhibition of Jo Mora cartes to date. Information about each carte is displayed next to it.

Entre 1926 y 1945, Jo Mora creo 15 cartas (mapas) de varias ciudades y regiones del oeste. Despues de la muerte de Mora, otras partes autorizadas crearon versiones actualizadas y/o coloreadas de las cartas de Mora, de modo que hoy existen 21 cartas distintas de Jo Mora. Si bien Mora es recordado por muchos tipos de creacion artistica, hoy en dia posiblemente se le recuerda mas bien por sus cartas.

Como minimo, una cartografia (elaboracion de mapas) eficaz requiere habilidades tecnicas y de diselio. A estos Mora, trabajando en un estilo de mapa pictorico, sumo su conocimiento detallado de la historia, sus considerables habilidades como ilustrador y caricaturista, y su sensibilidad estetica unica para crear obras que deleitan, fascinan y perduran.

Mora creo su primer mapa del tamallo de un cartel de la peninsula de Monterey en 1926. Posteriormente creo mapas de California, San Diego, el Gran Canon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, la isla Santa Catalina, el Rodeo de Salinas y Vaqueros, Las americas, Seventeen Mile Drive, Indios norteamericanos, Carmel-by-the-Sea y Los Angeles. En 1945, Mora completo su carta final, nuevamente para California, esta vez con caracteristicas nuevas como el puente Golden Gate, que se construyo despues de que completara la primera carta de California.

Monterey History and Art se complace en compartir con ustedes la exposicion mas completa de Jo Mora cartes hasta la fecha. Al lado se muestra informacion sobre cada carta.

Monterey History and Art thanks Arts Council for Monterey County, and Glenn Gobel Custom Frames, for supporting this exhibit.