Explorations in American Environmental History Comparing the Artist and the Photographer

Name___________________________

Compare the photographs of William Henry Jackson and the paintings produced by Thomas Moran. Use the skills you learned in the Objective Observation viewing exercise.

Go to American Memory: The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920

1. Scroll down to the Special Presentation: "Chronology of Selected Events in the Development of the American Conservation Movement, c.1850-1920." Select 1847-1871.

2. On the Chronology for 1847-1871, scroll down to 1871 and click on William Henry Jackson to see his photograph. Find Thomas Moran and click on his name to see his photograph.

3. Next, return to 1871 and go to Jackson's 1870-78 work with the Survey photographs.

   Comparison One

4. Go to image, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone River..

   Describe what you see in the image:

   Objective Observation	Subjective Observation

5. Go to lithographs of Moran's paintings. Explore the image, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This is Thomas Moran's painting taken from the Jackson photograph.

   Describe what you see in the image:

   Objective Observation	Subjective Observation

   In what ways does it differ from Jackson's photographic image?

    

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   Comparison Two

6. On Jackson's 1870-78 work with the Survey, Explore the photograph, Tower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

   Describe what you see in the image:

   Objective Observation	Subjective Observation

7. Go to lithographs of Moran's paintings. Explore image #11, Tower Falls and Sulphur Mountain, Yellowstone. This is Thomas Moran's painting taken from the Jackson photograph.

   Describe what you see in the image:

   Objective Observation	Subjective Observation

   In what ways does the painting differ from Jackson's photographic image?

    

8. What other Moran paintings can you discover that have been reproduced from Jackson's photos?

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