Sunday, January 21, 2024

Thomas Moran's Use of Memory


Although most of his studio paintings were painted in oil, Thomas Moran preferred water media when he was traveling and sketching. He also occasionally produced small watercolor and gouache paintings for collectors on commission.


Thomas Moran (1837-1926) Upper Falls of the Yellowstone, watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper, 12 ¾ x 10 in. (32.4 x 25.4 cm.).

Writers of his time described his gouache paintings as “rapid, racy, powerful, romantic specimens.” 

Moran said: “In working I use my memory. This I have trained from youth up, so that while sketching I impress indelibly upon my memory the features of the landscape and the combinations of coloring, so that when back in the studio the watercolor will recall vividly all the striking peculiarities of the scene visited.”

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