322

Thomas Moran

(1837 - 1926)

Baby Glacier, 5 Miles Below 'Big Canyon,' Stickeen River, Alaska, June 17, 1895

carbon pencil and ink on coquille-surfaced paper
initialed lower left: TM.

A native of England, Thomas Moran immigrated to Philadelphia with his family in 1844. His first artistic training was an an apprentice to a wood engraver. He returned to Europe in the 1860s, visiting his native England, and later in the decade, Italy. In 1871, he accompanied the geologist Ferdinand Hayden on his survey expedition of the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. During the rest of his life, he traveled extensively, often spending time in the American West and Southwest.
This original drawing was one of four illustrations that Moran contributed to a travelogue by W. H. Bell that appeared in the popular periodical Scribner's in April of 1879. It is reproduced on page 806 of the article. Moran used a carbon pencil, which would not smudge as easily as graphite, and paper with a pebbled texture, to create an instant halftone effect. Bell relayed a traveler's exploratory account of taking a steamboat up the Stickeen River from Fort Wrangell in Alaska and passing into Glenora in British Columbia, Canada, awed by the magnificent glaciers that dominated the landscape along the way. The passengers on the boat docked at a landing one night and were allowed to disembark the next morning to hike closer for a view of the imposing "ice mountain" or Great Cañon, the largest glacier along the route. Note how small the boat itself appears; Moran's drawing eloquently captured how dwarfed the passengers must have felt by the towering ice walls that surrounded them. The famed naturalist John Muir visited Alaska for the first time the same year this article appeared, which became the inspiration for his well-known book, "Travels in Alaska."
6 5/8 x 4 1/2 in. (16.83 x 11.43 cm.), Frame: 9 1/8 x 6 3/4 x 1 1/8 in. (23.18 x 17.15 x 2.86 cm.)

  • Provenance: Private Collection, Wyoming
    Private Collection, Arizona
  • Literature:
    W. H. Bell, The Stickeen River and Its Glaciers, Scribner's Monthly 17.6 (April 1879): 805-815, illustrated p. 806.

    Walt Reed, The Illustrator in America, 1880-1980: A Century of Illustrations. New York: Society of Illustrators, 2001, illustrated p. 23.
  • Condition: The drawing is in overall very good condition. Frame in good condition, with some minor gilt loss.

    The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

November 6, 2021 10:00 AM MDT
Santa Fe, NM, US

Santa Fe Art Auction

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $1,000,000:
20.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000