On the Trail in Idaho

Thomas Moran is well known as a painter of western landscapes, but this small study of a group of Native Americans on horseback in a high plains landscape is the work of his brother Peter Moran.

The four artists Thomas, Edward, Peter, and John Moran were brothers, born in England and brought to this country when young. They arrived in Maryland in 1844 and subsequently settled in Philadelphia. Peter was primarily an animal painter and etcher, taught by his older brothers Edward and Thomas. John was primarily a photographer. Peter Moran spent most of his life in Philadelphia. He toured the west with Thomas in 1879. Peter's wife Emily Kelley from Dublin was also an artist.

Frederick and Julia Billings purchased this painting in 1882 or 1883.