Landscape painting is one of the most established genres of visual art, finding its roots in Western tradition during the Renaissance and evolving its identity over time as new styles emerged. Historically, art academics had rejected the necessity for paintings which depicted landscapes as the subject, preferring to focus on religious, political, and mythological themes until it was eventually embraced following the Enlightenment era. I particularly enjoy landscape paintings because while they typically feature human subjects, their perspective does not frame them as the immediate subject, rather an addition to the overall composition of the piece. This is a very humbling perspective, one that allows for a deeper reflection on the greater reality and the vastness of the world. This week’s artist is Thomas Moran, an American landscape painter who was best known for his romanticist landscapes depicting the American west.
Moran lived through a period in American history which changed its economic and social landscape drastically. This period, known as the Gilded Age, saw a shift from a vastly agrarian society into an urban sprawl, fueled by rapid industrialization and expansion. While this era ushered in new technology, social reform, and economic growth, it also witnessed immense political corruption, economic inequality, and rampant destruction of natural environments.
During Moran’s career, he frequently traveled with geological surveying groups to the American West. Finding inspiration in its grandeur, Moran took his experience with landscape painting and transferred these inspiring scenes to canvas, producing idealized depictions of its untouched land. Moran’s landscapes were painted through the Romanticist lens, an artistic and intellectual movement which heavily emphasized individualism, emotional glorification, and most importantly, inspiration in the natural world. This view in particular was majorly championed in response to the rapid urbanization and industrialization in America during the Gilded Age, which resulted in significant exploitation of natural resources, deforestation, pollution, and overgrazing. Moran played a direct role in raising awareness for these increasing environmental challenges, calling attention to the expansive beauty of the American West through the Romantic lens. He was successful in his attempts, as his paintings of Yellowstone garnered interest in this untouched territory, both for tourists and conservation advocates. Additionally, his paintings appeared in the report Ferdinand Hayden issued to Congress, which convinced them to establish Yellowstone National Park in 1872.
My favorite piece by Moran is “An Arizona Sunset Near the Grand Canyon.” I recently visited Arizona with my family and constantly yearn to return. It was a truly inspiring experience because of just how small the landscape makes you feel when you are amongst its towering rocks. Moran presents a similar depiction, painting a vibrant sunset which bears down upon the stream and the rocks which flank it. I am shocked by the volume which he manages to dedicate to the sky, as well as the intricacy of the detail to the scattered shrubbery. Landscape painting is such a deliberate craft, and I commend Moran for managing to emphasize even the slightest details. Moran is also masterful with perspective; I particularly enjoy how he illuminated the foreground and casted the rest of the piece in shadow. This creates a sinking effect in the canvas which makes room for the viewer’s eyes to creep further into the horizon.
Thomas Moran’s work successfully exemplified the manner in which art serves a powerful medium for reflection on deeper societal and environmental concerns, blending artistic mastery with a message of conservation and reverence for the natural world. His Romanticist landscapes invited viewers to step beyond the confines of industrialized society and reflect on the grandeur and fragility of untouched wilderness. However, it’s important to consider that YOU don’t have to wait for inspiration to take action. Inspiration doesn’t have to be a passive experience. Whether it motivates creative expression, community involvement, or broader social change, the power to make a difference is always within reach. Take action, and let your voice be heard (VOTE TODAY!).
