The subject of this work was selected by the master 
after years of familiarity with the scenic wonders of the far 
west. It was executed with a skill bordering on the marvelous 
and is realized in forms, colors and effects as exquisitely 
beautiful as can be conceived without transcending the verities 
of earthly landscape. Considering the full range of attributes 
essential to great art, this painting has strong claims to rank 
as America’s greatest landscape. Its acquirement is a triumph 
for the National Gallery of Art. 
In this degenerate day in art the people pass by this 
picture giving it a mere glance because perhaps it represents 
one of America’s grandest landscape wonders. As a landscape 
it is without doubt the greatest masterpiece of landscape by 
an American, if not by the painters of any people or age. 
This will doubtless come to be recognized by critics when the 
lunacy of impressionism has passed, as it must pass if the 
painter’s art is ever to be resuscitated. 
