GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Green River area in Wyoming was a site dear to Thomas Moran's heart. He painted this subject nearly forty times after he first encountered it in 1871 on an illustration commission for "Scribner's" magazine. In this late example, nostalgia has informed Moran's memories, creating a landscape that is a blend of fantasy and reality. The shimmering mountain range of Tollgate Rock rising out of the mist recalls Moran's numerous scenes of Venice and stands in opposition to the often harsh environmental contrasts of the actual American West. And by 1911, when Moran gave the painting its poignant title, the Native American riders advancing into the landscape had long vanished with the dominance of Anglo-American culture after statehood in 1890.
Adapted from
William Keyse Rudolph, DMA label text, 2006
NOTES
Created in 1911
Object File Reviewed
Moran's landscapes of the uncivilized frontier were very popular and sold exceptionally well. The DMA's An Indian Paradise--Greenriver, Wyoming, is one of the artist's later works, dating from 1911. The DMA painting shows the influence of Turner on Moran, in the interest in light and atmosphere (i.e., the reflected cliffs on the still water; the hot, dry sky) as well as the use of color for expressive purposes. Even Moran's choice of subject matter, such as mountains, is reminiscent of Turner's early 19th c. interest in the Alps - another immense and awesome natural area (see DMA's early Turner landscape). Moran was also influenced by the ideal landscapes of Claude Lorraine. Moran's work has a powerful line, probably learned from his experience as an engraver. His art is a poignant dramatization of the westward expansion in the second half of the 19th century, with its sense of Manifest Destiny.
Excerpt from Anne Bromberg, "Description of Selected Paintings in the Collection," DMA Education files, 1987.
"The preoccupation with nature in 19th century America is clear in the works of two schools, the Hudson River School and the Luminists. The former (Bierstadt, Church) branched out to paint large scale landscapes of the American frontier. From this group stems the works of Thomas Moran, a "second generation" painter of the American West. Moran shows a greater fidelity to the textures and colors of western landscapes than Bierstadt's more romantic views."
Excerpt from Anne Bromberg, "Description of Selected Paintings in the Collection," DMA Education files, 1987.
Green River (inhabited place): 2122960
Green River (river): 2364284
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Moran, Thomas (American, born British, 1837-1926)
Cultures
Geography
Depicted location: Green River (river): TGN: 23664284
Depicted location: Green River (inhabited place): TGN: 2122960
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1911-1912: Thomas Moran
From 1912: Moulton & Ricketts
n.d.: Knoedler Gallery, New York
1937-1950: Lauren Rogers Gallery, Laurel, Mississippi
From 1950: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Munger Fund [1][2]
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
[2] Works of art purchased by the Mrs. Stephen I. Munger Endowment are placed in the custody of the Dallas Museum of Art for the purpose of exhibition. The title to all works of art purchased by the Munger Fund remains with the Fund.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Green River Valley Museum~Learn more about the area depicted in the painting at the Green River Valley Museum.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- Thomas Moran played an important role in the founding of the National Park System. His watercolors of Yellowstone were presented to Congress to show the beauty of the region and highlight the need to preserve and protect it.
TEACHING IDEAS
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General Description
The Green River area in Wyoming was a site dear to Thomas Moran's heart. He painted this subject nearly forty times after he first encountered it in 1871 on an illustration commission for "Scribner's" magazine. In this late example, nostalgia has informed Moran's memories, creating a landscape that is a blend of fantasy and reality. The shimmering mountain range of Tollgate Rock rising out of the mist recalls Moran's numerous scenes of Venice and stands in opposition to the often harsh environmental contrasts of the actual American West. And by 1911, when Moran gave the painting its poignant title, the Native American riders advancing into the landscape had long vanished with the dominance of Anglo-American culture after statehood in 1890.
Adapted from
William Keyse Rudolph, DMA label text, 2006
Fun Facts
- Thomas Moran played an important role in the founding of the National Park System. His watercolors of Yellowstone were presented to Congress to show the beauty of the region and highlight the need to preserve and protect it.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Green River Valley Museum~Learn more about the area depicted in the painting at the Green River Valley Museum.
Notes
Created in 1911
Object File Reviewed
Moran's landscapes of the uncivilized frontier were very popular and sold exceptionally well. The DMA's An Indian Paradise--Greenriver, Wyoming, is one of the artist's later works, dating from 1911. The DMA painting shows the influence of Turner on Moran, in the interest in light and atmosphere (i.e., the reflected cliffs on the still water; the hot, dry sky) as well as the use of color for expressive purposes. Even Moran's choice of subject matter, such as mountains, is reminiscent of Turner's early 19th c. interest in the Alps - another immense and awesome natural area (see DMA's early Turner landscape). Moran was also influenced by the ideal landscapes of Claude Lorraine. Moran's work has a powerful line, probably learned from his experience as an engraver. His art is a poignant dramatization of the westward expansion in the second half of the 19th century, with its sense of Manifest Destiny.
Excerpt from Anne Bromberg, "Description of Selected Paintings in the Collection," DMA Education files, 1987.
"The preoccupation with nature in 19th century America is clear in the works of two schools, the Hudson River School and the Luminists. The former (Bierstadt, Church) branched out to paint large scale landscapes of the American frontier. From this group stems the works of Thomas Moran, a "second generation" painter of the American West. Moran shows a greater fidelity to the textures and colors of western landscapes than Bierstadt's more romantic views."
Excerpt from Anne Bromberg, "Description of Selected Paintings in the Collection," DMA Education files, 1987.
Green River (inhabited place): 2122960
Green River (river): 2364284
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Moran, Thomas (American, born British, 1837-1926)
Cultures
Geography
Depicted location: Green River (river): TGN: 23664284
Depicted location: Green River (inhabited place): TGN: 2122960
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1911-1912: Thomas Moran
From 1912: Moulton & Ricketts
n.d.: Knoedler Gallery, New York
1937-1950: Lauren Rogers Gallery, Laurel, Mississippi
From 1950: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Munger Fund [1][2]
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
[2] Works of art purchased by the Mrs. Stephen I. Munger Endowment are placed in the custody of the Dallas Museum of Art for the purpose of exhibition. The title to all works of art purchased by the Munger Fund remains with the Fund.
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