Looking and Discussing
Grade: 4–5; 6–8; 9–12
Subject: Language Arts, Social Studies, Visual Art
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How does Moran’s inclusion of people in the scene affect
the viewer’s impression of the western landscape? How do the
cliffs appear based on the size of the humans? How does the inclusion
of humans help the viewer imagine being in the scene? Compare this
painting to Bierstadt’s
Sunrise, Yosemite Valley, which does not include
people.
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What features of Cliffs of Green River would appeal to
an audience in the eastern part of the United States eager to see
scenes of the American West? (Is it the scale of the cliffs? The
colors of the rock? The ruggedness of the terrain? The large expanse
of sky?) Discuss how the viewer’s reaction to the painting
might change if Moran had included the signs of development—town,
buildings, railroad tracks, bridges, etc.?
Research and Writing
Grade: 4–5; 6–8; 9–12
Subject: Language Arts, Social Studies
Travel Newsletter
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Many of Thomas Moran’s paintings were published in magazines
of the period to encourage more travelers to head west. Ask students
to assume the role of travel writers for a magazine in the 1870s
and write articles to persuade their audience to visit Green River,
Wyoming Territory. They may want to research the mode of travel,
the geographic route on a map, and conveniences they could find
when they arrived. To extend this activity, have students research
how this area appears today.
Drawing and Painting
Grade: 6–8; 9–12
Subject: Visual Art, Social Studies
From Field Sketches to Studio Compositions
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Have students make several field sketches of a panoramic view, taking
care to make notes about the colors or time of day, as Thomas Moran
did. Then ask them to select sketches and create a larger scene, drawing
or painting it on a grander scale to impress their viewers.
Nostalgic Landscapes
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Have students sketch and then paint watercolor views of a landscape
in their city. Then, using their sketches, have them create a new
painting by eliminating the signs of development (telephone poles,
billboards, cars, etc.) to restore the scene to a nostalgic view
of 100 years ago. They may need to do some research and/or look
at old city views to determine what is to be in their century-old
scene.
Link to TEKS Connections
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