Venetian Castles
Thomas Moran
Thomas Moran
1837-1926
- Birthplace
- Bolton, Lancashire, England
- Died
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Titles & Honors:
- Congress commissioned him in the early 1870s to paint scenes of Yellowstone and other areas of the West. His paintings proved instrumental in convincing the public of the need to establish national parks.
- Occupation:
- Began as an apprentice at a Philadelphia-based wood engraver for Scattergood & Telfer and then became an engraver and illustrator for the company's publications. After three years, he left his apprenticeship to work in the studio of his older brother, Edward. He painted on his own (and later with his wife) for the rest of his life. He was also a successful illustrator, producing commercial images and engravings to fund his trips westward. Commissioned to paint the scenery in Yellowstone during the 1870s, he is credited with convincing the public of the need for national parks. He is estimated to have completed over 1,000 engravings, 1,500 oil paintings, and 800 watercolors.
Thomas Moran was a famous landscape painter and illustrator. After his family immigrated to the United States in 1844, they settled in the vicinity of Philadelphia and, at the age of 16, Thomas began working as an apprentice at wood engraving firm Scattergood & Telfer. Not liking working with wood, he then worked as an illustrator for the company, producing images for catalogues and advertising. After three years, he left his apprenticeship and began working in the studio of his older brother, Edward, where he refined his skills and became heavily influenced by the work of J. M. W. Turner. He married Mary Nimmo in 1863 and had 3 children. Establishing a reputation for exceptional landscape scenes, he received national attention in the early 1870s when he was commissioned to paint the scenery found in the area of what is now Yellowstone National Park. In fact, his work is credited with convincing the public of the need for national parks. His Yellowstone artwork was the first of many scenes of the American West he would paint, and he traveled extensively throughout the remainder of his life. Over his career, he is estimated to have completed over 3,000 works, including over 2,300 watercolor and oil paintings.
Began as an apprentice at Philadelphia-based wood engraver Scattergood & Telfer before becoming an illustrator for the company’s publications. First studying with local painter James Hamilton, he began to emulate the style of British artist J. M. W. Turner and even traveled to England to view his paintings. He also received significant training in painting and lithography from his older brother, Edward.