Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

What I find most fascinating about the Grand Canyon in the painting is that it is the juxtaposition of nature admiration with the political aspect of claiming it. Moran managed to convey that Yellowstone Park is something that dwarfs down humans. The people at the front of the picture seem so minuscule compared to the whole landscape. It seems that it was not meant to be conquered by mankind, but rather respected and left be. But putting the painting into its proper context is important too. Moran was actually part of the government-mandated expedition meant to study the area for potential national park designation. The depictions of Moran and Jackson, another painter, have been utilized to promote the region as worthy of conservation in the eyes of the common people. And it seems to have done its job as the Government bought the painting in 1872 the same year that the Yellowstone National Park was established. This context gives the image more weight, in my opinion. It shows that it did not just come out as an art piece, but rather that it had a purpose in the minds of the government. That purpose, however, is rather conflicting, as establishing the park as a special region does not erase the fact that, until recently, this land and its resources belonged to indigenous peoples. The fact that they are not depicted in the painting is a telling reflection of how the politicians viewed the native population as something that exists in the wilderness, which is rather ironic for a region that prides itself on being natural. The colors used by Moran also deserve special attention. The yellows, purples, reds, and whites contrast with the usual brown of the rock to give the impression of something otherworldly. He did not just paint the rocks; he painted the sublime power of nature that inspires awe and fear in equal measure. As I look at the picture, all I can think about is how much the Grand Canyon inspired Moran. The painting captures the majesty of the natural landscape perfectly, in my opinion. But at the same time, it is a character in itself because without Moran’s intervention, it would not have captivated the public the way it did. It is this quality that makes the painting so interesting to me as a historical artifact. The canyon existed well before Moran painted it, but the legacy of the national park is inextricably linked with the people who depicted it for the public.