Artwork of the Week: November 20
Thomas Moran, celebrated for his grand depictions of the American West, journeyed to Utah in 1873 to join John Wesley Powell on his second expedition to the Grand Canyon. En route he created this small painting of Mary’s Veil, a waterfall in Bullion Canyon within the Tushar Mountains.
This work reflects Moran's characteristic style, showcasing a diffused atmosphere and minimal detail, while portraying a pristine slice of wilderness in the Rocky Mountains. Moran's art not only illustrated the natural beauty of sites like Bullion Canyon—once a draw for gold miners in the 19th century—but also inspired settlers, trappers, and miners to venture westward in search of a new Eden. His panoramic views of iconic locations, such as Yellowstone, contributed to a growing conservation movement, ultimately leading to the establishment of national parks.
