Tugging Along

As the year marches into March, life on the Mississippi keeps chugging and tugging along (given all the barges, tugs, and trains). Below are two shots of the M. Moran painting at its current state (in the process, not in the Union). The photographs are a bit dark, but they give a good idea of the painting process, showing underpainting and overlaying.

Evidently that is not the Mississippi River Valley in the background.

mmoranprocess2

mmoranprocess1