Lot Essay
Likely depicting various views of the New York Bay and Hudson Palisades, it has been posited that Edward Moran could have used the present work as a presentation piece within his studio to give his patrons options of composition types for their commissions.
Regarded as one of America’s most prominent 19th century marine painters, Edward Moran’s artistic career began in Pennsylvania under the tutelage of James Hamilton and Paul Weber. Working in the same Philadelphia studio as his brother and fellow artist, Thomas Moran, the two achieved immediate recognition for their distinctive styles. In 1862, Moran traveled to England and continued his studies at the Royal Academy before returning to America and, in 1872, settling in New York City. New York harbor and its bustling maritime activities particularly inspired his work, and he was often commissioned by ship owners and members of the New York Yacht Club to paint pictures of ships at sea. Moran's work is today represented in several museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Denver Art Museum, and United States Naval Academy.
Regarded as one of America’s most prominent 19th century marine painters, Edward Moran’s artistic career began in Pennsylvania under the tutelage of James Hamilton and Paul Weber. Working in the same Philadelphia studio as his brother and fellow artist, Thomas Moran, the two achieved immediate recognition for their distinctive styles. In 1862, Moran traveled to England and continued his studies at the Royal Academy before returning to America and, in 1872, settling in New York City. New York harbor and its bustling maritime activities particularly inspired his work, and he was often commissioned by ship owners and members of the New York Yacht Club to paint pictures of ships at sea. Moran's work is today represented in several museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Denver Art Museum, and United States Naval Academy.