Thomas Hill

Thomas Hill (1829–1908) was an American painter associated with the Hudson River School and the later California landscape movement. Born in Birmingham, England, Hill emigrated to the United States with his family in 1844, settling in Massachusetts. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and became known for his grand depictions of the American West, particularly the Yosemite Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Hill's work played a significant role in popularizing the natural beauty of these regions, contributing to the burgeoning interest in national parks. His paintings are characterized by their meticulous attention to detail and dramatic use of light, capturing the sublime essence of the American wilderness. Hill spent his later years in California, where he continued to paint until his death in 1908.