AMERICAN LANDSCAPE PAINTERSThomas Moran
FOUR
Though a true American, taking great pride in his chosen country and her art, Moran is English by birth. When he was but seven years old the boy’s parents settled in Philadelphia, where he received his education. That he should soon show remarkable talent was not at all surprising, as the family he belongs to has produced nine distinguished artists.
Thomas Moran was apprenticed to a wood engraver, whose art he mastered before starting to work in color. Engraving has in fact occupied a considerable part of his life ever since, and his etchings are among the best that have been done in America. He has also great skill in water color; though he is best known for his oil paintings.
Success came easily and quickly. Moran went with a government exploring expedition to the West, where he wished to sketch the unknown Rockies. A poetic imagination, coupled with an eye trained to note and remember the smallest details, could not fail to being home valuable material. The artist’s enthusiasm was aroused by that bigness in the scenes before him which now brings tourists from all parts of the world. The magnificent coloring of rock and mountainside, forest and canyon and swift river, was faithfully observed, to be rendered in the most famous of Moran’s paintings.
The United States government chose two of his pictures, “The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone” and “The Grand Chasm of the Colorado,” to adorn the walls of the national Capitol. The artist received for them $10,000 apiece.
Moran must be considered one of our self-taught painters; for, except during his first visits to Europe, he received very little instruction. He is an American painter of American landscapes. Yet he has also made several excellent paintings of the sea. He likes best to paint the sea with mountains near at hand in the picture.
He has made several prolonged stays in Europe; but is most fond of his home at East Hampton, Long Island.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATIONILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 1, No. 26, SERIAL No. 26
TWILIGHT—AUTUMN By D. W. TRYONCopyright by N. E. Montross
TWILIGHT—AUTUMN By D. W. TRYON
Copyright by N. E. Montross