Thomas Moran

Thomas Moran was born in England in 1837 and later emigrated to the United States, where he became one of the most influential American landscape painters of the 19th century. He is closely associated with the Hudson River School and the Rocky Mountain School. Moran traveled extensively through the American West, including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite, producing sketches that informed his large studio paintings. His work played a key role in shaping public appreciation of these dramatic landscapes.

Moran’s paintings emphasize light, atmosphere, and expansive scale rather than strict topographical accuracy. His images helped support the creation of national parks by conveying the beauty and grandeur of the wilderness. He worked primarily in oil and watercolor, with a strong interest in expressive color. Moran enjoyed significant recognition during his lifetime and was widely exhibited. He died in 1926. His landscapes remain iconic representations of the American West and its natural splendor.