Donner Lake
Classification
landscapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Thomas Moran
Accession Number
1917-17-44
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Thomas Moran (1837–1926), born in Britain and a leading figure in American landscape painting, captured the majestic beauty of the American West in works like *Donner Lake* (1879). A master of the Hudson River School tradition with luminist influences, Moran was renowned for his luminous skies, vibrant colors, and epic vistas that celebrated the nation's wilderness. This painting depicts Donner Lake in California's Sierra Nevada, a serene alpine gem nestled amid rugged peaks, reflecting Moran's passion for documenting unspoiled natural wonders during an era of rapid westward expansion. Create...