Thomas Moran

Thomas Moran (1837–1926) was an American painter and printmaker celebrated for his majestic landscapes of the American West, particularly Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and the Rocky Mountains. Known for his dramatic compositions, luminous color, and sweeping sense of scale, Moran played a key role in shaping public perception of the West’s natural beauty. His work with the Hayden Geological Survey in 1871, including vivid paintings and sketches, helped inspire the creation of Yellowstone as the first U.S. national park. Born in Bolton, England, Moran immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in Philadelphia, where he trained as an engraver before turning to painting. In 1863, he married fellow artist Mary Nimmo Moran, with whom he shared a long and creatively rich partnership. The couple traveled extensively, but Moran maintained a lifelong fascination with the landscapes of the American frontier until his death in 1926.