New Acquisition

Thomas Moran: National Museum of Wildlife Art

Thomas Moran (1837-1926), Eternal Snows of Mount Moran, Teton Range, ca. 1912. Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in. Gift of Lynn and Foster Friess. Courtesy of the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

This year holds a lot of excitement for the National Museum of Wildlife Art, beginning with a recently acquired and rare piece by Thomas Moran. While the museum has displayed the renowned landscape painter and printmaker’s work before, the pieces were only available on loan. With the generous donation of trustee emeritus, Lynn Friess, the NMWA now has their first ever Moran painting to add to their permanent collection.

The acquired painting, Eternal Snows of Mount Moran, Teton Range, is a significant contribution for many reasons. For starters, the NMWA notes that depictions of Moran’s Tetons, from one of his expeditions in what is now known as Grand Teton National Park, are few and far between. In addition, the museum is located only 2 miles from the entrance of the park, making for quite the fitting home for the piece.

Madison Webb, the museum’s director of marketing, says, “For the first time, visitors will be able to view Moran’s depiction of his namesake peak just a few minutes’ drive from the mountain itself. It is an honor for the museum to bring this piece home, and to share it with the public.”

The significance deepens in that the mission of NMWA is to “impart knowledge and inspire appreciation of humanity’s relationship with wildlife and nature through art and education,” say museum representatives. “Moran’s work played an integral role in the creation of America’s first national park, and indelibly aligns with the mission of the museum.”

This summer, the museum will exhibit 20 of Moran’s field sketches alongside Eternal Snows of Mount Moran, Teton Range. The painting is on view now at the NMWA and the museum is encouraging the public to view the masterpiece in person. —