Shannon Stirnweis (Arizona, New York, New Hampshire Oregon, B. 1931) "Troop of Conquistadors" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the 32 Spanish Settlement stamp issued July 11, 1998. In 1598, King Philip of Spain appointed Don Juan de Onate Governor and Captain-General of Nuevo Mexico and ordered him to discover a route from Nuevo Espana to Nuevo Mexico. With 130 soldiers, their families, 5,000 head of cattle and sheep, de Onate blazed a trail across the Southwest. Officially called the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the historic 1200-mile-long road is commonly known as El Camino Real or the Royal Road. Originating in Mexico City, the Camino Real passes through Zacatecas, Durango, Chihuahua, La Toma del Rio and El Paso del Norte before reaching the area of present day Santa Fe, New Mexico. Along the way, de O?ate and his expedition established San Gabriel, the first European settlement west of the Mississippi. Later they founded San Juan and San Pedro, the first permanent settlements in New Mexico, as well as Santa Fe. The Royal Road of exploration and trade linked Mexico and the United States for four centuries. Image Size: 17.5 x 15 in. Overall Size: 22.75 x 19 in. Unframed. (B16088)