Summit of the Sierras, Nevada c. 1876

This is Thomas Moran's "Summit of the Sierras, Nevada," showcasing his skill in capturing the grandeur of the American West through a combination of watercolor and gouache. The artwork's structure is immediately striking. Notice how the composition invites the eye upward, moving from the dark, textured rocks and resolute pine in the foreground to the softly rendered, snow-capped peaks. The atmospheric perspective, with its gradations of color and clarity, creates depth, and evokes a sense of vastness and sublime beauty. Moran's use of light and shadow isn't merely descriptive; it’s expressive. The crisp highlights on the mountain ridges contrast with the shadowy gorges, emphasizing nature's dramatic forms. The semiotic interplay here is potent: the rugged terrain speaks of the untamed wilderness, while the play of light hints at a spiritual transcendence. Consider how the artwork presents not just a landscape, but a carefully constructed vision, embodying both the aesthetic and philosophical ideals of its time.