Painters of the Wasatch Mountains

Book excerpt: A distinct painting development with regard to the American West's Wasatch Range emerged in the nineteenth century and persists even today. These "painters of the Wasatch" have set many precedents through their artistic interpretations of this mountain subject matter. Painters of the Wasatch Mountains presents for the first time a survey of the gamut of painters who formed and have carried forward an expression of nature's mighty gift to both visitors and residents of Utah. As natural successor to the Hudson River School in the East, the "Wasatch school" persists because of the values we associate with that first of America's art movements-a dedication to place, a careful study, and interpretation of the environment in a spiritual and cultural context. The Painters of the Wasatch are not defined by a particular style or medium but by a physical presence that has unlimited appeal and inspiration. Over 300 artworks are included, from the earliest examples of painting in the nineteenth century to works by Utah's contemporary artists. Also included are brief biographies of each artist, with occasional stylistic analysis. Artists featured in this book include: William Warner Major Frank Ward Kent Dan Weggeland James T. Harwood John W. Clawson Edwin Evans Lee Greene Richards John Tullidge Lawrence Squires Valoy Eaton LeConte Stewart Mahonri Young John H. Stansfield Hal Burrows Waldo Midgley Maynard Dixon Joseph A. F. Everett Francis L. Horspool Alice Merrill Horne Dean Fausett Dennis Phillips Tom Leek Gary E. Smith