Upper Falls, Yellowstone

Thomas Moran's sketch captures the dramatic geology of Yellowstone's Upper Falls with characteristically bold linework. The composition emphasizes the canyon's scale and the waterfall's power through layered ridgelines and strong vertical accents. Moran (1837–1926), born in Bolton, England, became a leading figure in American landscape art after his expeditions to the American West in the 1870s. His studies and finished paintings helped establish Yellowstone as a subject of national significance and contributed to the conservation movement that led to the park's designation as a protected landmark.