Near Meadow Creek, Utah 1871

Thomas Moran's 1871 watercolor, "Near Meadow Creek, Utah," captures the grandeur of the American West. This landscape sketch, likely created during a sketching expedition, features a dramatic vista of jagged mountain peaks and a verdant valley. Moran's signature use of light and shadow gives depth to the scene, while his meticulous detail conveys the rugged beauty of the landscape. The work is notable for its evocative depiction of the West, a theme that became central to Moran's career. The artist's inscription on the artwork, "Before near Meadow Creek, Looking toward," suggests the scene's specific location and adds a sense of immediacy to the artwork.