THOMAS MORAN
Morning on the St. Johns, Florida .
Etching on imitation Japan paper, 1881. 142x206 mm; 5 5/8x8 1/2 inches, full margins. Signed in pencil, lower right. A very good impression of this scarce, early American etching.
Moran (1837-1926), though more often recognized for his large-scale oil paintings, was an important figure in 19th century American printmaking. He began his career as a wood engraving apprentice in Philadelphia, where he received technical training and designed woodblocks for a range of illustrations. He soon shifted his attention to watercolors and subsequently traveled the country painting monumental landscapes, becoming a central figure in the Hudson River School. Given his background, Moran continued to build a printed oeuvre over the course of his career, and was active as a central figure in the late 19th century etching revival in the United States. Klackner 56.