During the 1920s and 30s, Swedish-American painter Gunnar Widforss was known as The Painter of the National Parks. After coming to the United States in 1921, he gained early recognition for his paintings of Yosemite and his friendship with National Park Service Director Stephen Mather quickly led him to work in other western national parks.

Following his initial visit to Grand Canyon in 1923, Widforss increasingly favored painting there. By 1929, it had become the itinerant artist’s most regular home and over the next few years he produced several of his finest masterpieces there. Widforss became a beloved member of the small village on the South Rim and with close friends like Emery Kolb, Mike Harrison, Eddie McKee, and Pat and Polly Patraw, he easily fit into the artistic and social scene there. He may even have finally found romance.

Alan Petersen, MNA Curator of Fine Arts, has published a catalogue raisonné of Widforss’ works and is nearing completion of a monograph on the artist’ life and work.