The bandido Tiburcio Vasquez (April 10, 1835 – March 19, 1875) was captured in Southern California on May 14, 1874, but transferred to San José for his trial. Cooper may have painted this image from the photographs Vasquez sold for $1 to raise legal funds. A San José jury found Vasquez guilty on January 9, 1875. He was hanged on March 19th the same year.