Art Tourist: Stepping Into a Thomas Moran Painting

“Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone” Thomas Moran. 1872.

I just got back from a family vacation, our first since Covid began, to Yellowstone National Park. As you can imagine, the views were spectacular especially to an East Coaster like me who was seeing the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas for the first time. Many of the stops in the park had artistically inspired names such as the geyser area trails known as “Fountain Paint Pots” and “Artist’s Paint Pots”. I was not particularly enthused to see yet another similar sounding named sight along the Southern Trail called “Artisit’s Point”. So when my husband turned to me and asked, “Should we go see it?”. I answered “Sure”, in a rather dismissive voice—not expecting much. But boy was I wrong!

What awaited us was nothing less that the jaw dropping view of Yellowstone made famous by Thomas Moran himself, famed Hudson River School landscape painter and as such is considered to be associated with the “Transcendentalist” art movement of the 1830s & 1840s. He is credited with the American embrace of the West and inspiring many to embark upon their own journeys of Westward Expansion.

As soon as I encountered the view I was gob smacked. I had such an intense feeling of Deja-Vu that I knew I had seen this view before. Then it dawned on me, I had— in the art of Thomas Moran!

It is not an exaggeration to say that Thomas Moran’s work is responsible for the creation of the Yellowstone National Park itself. As Chief Illustrator for the popular magazine Scribner’s, Moran was invited in 1871 by Dr. Ferdinand Hayden, director of the United States Geological Survey to join the survey team of the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871 as they explored the Yellowstone region. Moran produced over 30 images of locations on that trip and it is these paintings and sketches along with the photographs of William Henry Jackson that persuaded President Grant and the US Congress to make Yellowstone our first national park in 1872. My visit coincided with its 150th anniversary.

Moran was so closely associated with his paintings of Yellowstone (and Teton National Park) that he eventually began signing his work simply with the initials T.Y.M. - for Thomas “Yellowstone” Moran.

Some argue that the actual view used by Thomas Moran to paint his famous painting is located on the North Rim Overlook currently called “Look Out Point” as this is the place from which he made his sketches during the Hayden Geological Survey. However, Yellowstone Park Photographer, F. J. Hayes, attributed this location on the official map to Moran’s painting and so it continues to be linked to it. I personally think it is possible that he made the painting based on several different views including the North Rim Overlook and Artist’s Point views as is common practice among artists seeking the best composition in a painting.

Moran’s painting “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” (seen above) was purchased by the US Government for $10,000 and can be seen on long-term loan from the U. S. Department of the Interior at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC. And now we have come full circle because it was indeed at this museum where I first saw this view—within Moran’s painting—for the very first time.

My husband and I doing the touristy thing in front of “Artists Point” Yellowstone NP (also known as “Moran’s View”).

Art Tourist: Seeking Andrew Wyeth

Suzanne Lago Arthur outside of Andrew Wyeth’s studio

Last November, my family and I made a very special pilgrimage to the Brandywine Museum, but more specifically to the studio of the late great Andrew Wyeth and to the Kuerner Farm that he immortalized. I have been a huge fan of Andrew since my childhood and a couple of years back was also able to visit the Olson property in Maine that he made famous in his painting "Cristina's World". Little did I realize that the great man is buried there or I would have introduced myself to him properly, paid my respects and thanked him for all the years of inspiration.

Every year since my trip to Maine, I have promised myself that I would go see his studio in Chadds Ford, which is only open for part of the year. And every year it seems I would miss the window. But finally during last November I made it and on the very last weekend that it was open. Hooray!

So you may be asking yourself why I am writing this post now? Because the studio is open again for tours from April 1st - Nov 20th. Chadds Ford is beautiful during this time of the year. If you are a fan of the Wyeths as I am, you will not want to miss the opportunity to experience their world and the huge impression they left behind in the Pennsylvanian countryside.

Andrew Wyeth Studio, Chadds Ford, PA

Andrew's studio is set up exactly as the artist left it. As if he has just stepped out of his studio for one of his regular walks in the surrounding countryside. There are drawings (reproductions) strewn throughout the floor. Egg tempera supplies still await his skillful hands and jars of luminous dry pigments line a window's ledge.

Copy of Andrew Wyeth drawings

Jamie Wyeth’s Corner, Chadds Ford, PA

Andrew Wyeth’s Book Collection, Chadds Ford, PA

We were able to see the Kuerner Farm as well which was a huge treat considering that Andrew produced over 370 works of art on the property. There is a wonderful book documenting his time and productivity on the farm called "Wyeth at Kuerners". It is out of print now but if you are able to get a hold of a copy, I would highly recommend it. It contains a personal narrative told by Andrew on each of his paintings from this series including all the preliminary drawings. It is an invaluable insight into the process of a great American master artist. I got my treasured copy from a wonderful friend (thank you again, Karen) but I have seen them available any where from $8 - $249. The curatorial staff at the Brandywine even reads from it during their tours.

The Kuerner House

Kuerner House, “Evening At The Kuerner’s”, Andrew Wyeth

Above the sink in Kuerner's Barn. Painting by Andrew Wyeth, “Spring Fed”

My tired son enjoying the view on the Kuerner front porch after a long day of “arting” with Mom.