"Unlike any Other Upon the Globe" | Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
“I desire, also, to add my testimony to that of Dr. Hayden, in praise of the accuracy and artistic skill with which that accomplished artist, Thomas Moran, has depicted the grandeur, both in general appearance and coloring of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. By some who have seen this picture its coloring has been criticized, because they could not realize that such a remarkable natural combination of colors was possible. But in this respect the painter’s tints cannot equal the original. Mr. Moran has but approached it, simply for the reason that the coloring of nature is more brilliant than painting can be. The picture is in no degree exaggerated. It is a work of very accomplished artist, and reflects the highest credit upon his skill and accuracy. All who have seen both the canon and the painting will readily agree that in grandeur, in coloring, in the number of steam jets, and it its general effect, it is nor overdrawn. But this is only one of the wonders of that great region of marvels. Could all be portrayed with the same faithfulness, and made to adorn the walls of our Capitol, how greatly would they exceed in grandeur and vastness our ordinary art decorations.
Nothing has been, nothing can be said, to magnify the wonders of this national pleasuring ground. It is all and more that it has been represented. In the catalogue of earthly wonders it is the greatest, and must remain so. It confers distinctive character upon our country, greater than that of Niagara, Yosemite, of Mammoth Cave, though each of these is, in itself, without parallel. But here, the grandest, most wonderful, and most unique elements of nature are combined, seemingly to produce upon the most stupendous scale and exhibition unlike any other upon the globe. It should be sustained. Our Government, having adopted it, should foster it and render it accessible to the people of all lands, who in future will come in crows to visit it.”
N.P. Langford
Superintendent Yellowstone National Park
Report of the Superintendent of the Yellowstone National Park to the Secretary of the Interior for the year 1872 (the first superintendent’s report on the first national park).
“But here, the grandest, most wonderful, and most unique elements of nature are combined, seemingly to produce upon the most stupendous scale and exhibition unlike any other upon the globe. It should be sustained.”