Grand Canyon of Arizona at Sunset

Thomas Moran is known as the visual architect of the dramatic Western panorama, which captured the imagination of turn of the century America and was integral to creating the national park system. Painted in 1909, this masterwork manifests the profound veneration and wonder that Moran harbored for his favorite subject. Here he presents a romantic and inspirational vision of the American West through an awe-inspiring panorama that captures the unique character and grandeur of the Grand Canyon as well as the endless possibilities of the Western expansion.

Known best for these wilderness studies, Moran belonged to the Hudson River and the Rocky Mountain Schools, who defined the 19th-century imagery of the American landscape. Moran's initial instruction came after disinterest in a wood-engraving internship in Philadelphia led him to study watercolor from local painters, which he practiced by sketching in forests surrounding the city. Later, Moran traveled to England to study the work of J.M.W. Turner, whose British landscapes would be a major influence.

If you're up for more amazing landscapes, please check our 2024 DailyArt Calendars, full of such beautiful images, created to enlighten every day of your next year.  :) 

P.S. Explore spectacular landscapes painted by some of the best American painters, including Thomas Moran. Take a virtual artsy trip to the stunning National Parks in the American West!