Golden Gate, Yellowstone National Park 1893

Thomas Moran completed this stunning view of the Golden Gate in Yellowstone National Park in 1883, employing the traditional medium of oil on canvas. However conventional the materials, this painting really demonstrates that landscape isn’t just about scenery; it’s also about labor. Think of the manual effort required to build the road clinging to the cliffside. The wooden trestles and blasted rock faces all speak to human intervention into the natural world. Moran’s brushstrokes mimic the textures of the rugged terrain – the coarse, broken rocks in the foreground, the smooth, sun-baked surfaces of the cliffs, and the misty, almost ethereal quality of the distant waterfall. The warm palette, dominated by earthy reds and ochres, further emphasizes the materiality of the landscape. By calling attention to the human presence within this vista, Moran compels us to consider the social and economic forces that shape our understanding and experience of nature. He challenges the traditional separation between art and craft, urging us to recognize the artistry inherent in all forms of making, whether it be a painting or a road.