Art

"Wyoming Falls, Yellowstone River," Thomas Moran, 1872

Pencil and watercolor on paper (12" x 7 1/2")

About

Throughout the 19th century, various expeditions had made their way through Yellowstone but their “tales of boiling springs and subterranean fires” were dismissed as overexaggerations (Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association, page 21). Upon Nathaniel Langford’s return from Yellowstone in 1870, he wrote about the amazing natural wonders for Scribner’s magazine. Scriber’s illustrator Thomas Moran produced various drawings based on Langford’s descriptions, but it wasn’t until Moran joined the Hayden Expedition in 1871 that he was able to create accurate depictions of the area’s otherwise unbelievable natural features.

Also on this expedition was William Henry Jackson, a photographer whose photographs from their journey reinforced the accuracy of Moran’s paintings. Together, Moran and Jackson created irrefutable evidence of the unbelievable landscape of Yellowstone. Using these images and artworks, as well as support from the Northern Pacific Railroad, Hayden and Langford lobbied Congress to place the land under federal protections. This act of Congress, officially titled “An Act to set apart a certain Tract of Land lying near the Head-waters of the Yellowstone River as a public park,” was passed on March 1, 1872, establishing Yellowstone National Park.

Despite a lull in the demand for grand landscape paintings in the mid-20th century, artists have continued to depict Yellowstone using both literal and abstract methods, as seen in the comparison between Moran's 1872 drawing and Alyce Frank's 1993 painting.

Helpful Resources

How Art Led to the Creation of Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Thomas Moran, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, National Park Service
Collections, Yellowstone Art Museum

From the Museum

The Yellowstone Research Museum is located in the Heritage and Resource Center outside of Yellowstone National Park. They are open from 9 am to 4 pm Mondays through Fridays. If you have a specific artwork or artifact you would like to see or if you would like to submit a research request, visit the Museum's website.