While photographers like William Henry Jackson provided the “proof,” it was the painter Thomas Moran (1837–1926) who provided the color and emotion that truly sold Yellowstone to the world. A master of the Hudson River School style, Moran’s work transformed the public’s perception of the West from a “hellish” landscape into a majestic wonderland.
In 1871, Moran was invited by Dr. Ferdinand Hayden to join the first federally funded geological survey of the Yellowstone region. Moran was actually a last-minute addition, partially funded by Jay Cooke of the Northern Pacific Railroad, who wanted high-quality art to promote rail travel to the West.
- Collaboration with Jackson: Moran worked side-by-side with photographer William Henry Jackson. They shared the same vantage points; Jackson’s black-and-white photos proved the geological features were real, while Moran’s vibrant watercolors captured the surreal yellows, reds, and oranges of the thermal basins.
Lower Yellowstone Range
Thomas Moran
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Liberty Cap
Thomas Moran
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Head of Yellowstone River
Thomas Moran
1874
Yellowstone Lake
Thomas Moran
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Golden Gate
Thomas Moran
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