Edward Percy Moran, who often worked professionally as Percy Moran, was born in Philadelphia, PA, on July 29, 1862. He was the son of marine painter Edward Moran and Elizabeth McManes Moran, and the nephew of artists Thomas, Peter, and John Moran. Moran received early artistic instruction from his father before continuing his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the National Academy of Design in New York City, and later spent four years training in London and Paris.
Moran established himself as one of America’s leading historical painters during the 1880s and 1890s. Working primarily in oil and watercolor, he became widely recognized for his carefully composed scenes depicting Colonial America and the nation’s early history. He exhibited frequently at the National Academy of Design and the Brooklyn Art Association from 1861 to 1899. His reputation was firmly established in 1886 when he received the prestigious First Hallgarten Prize from the National Academy of Design, followed two years later by the first Gold Medal awarded by the American Art Association. He later received additional honors and exhibited widely throughout the United States.
Beyond his work as a painter, Moran was a member of the American Water Color Society and was known among friends as an accomplished amateur musician who played both the guitar and mandolin. During various periods of his career he maintained studios in East Hampton, Long Island, and New York City, where he became closely associated with the area’s growing artistic community.
Edward Percy Moran died on March 25, 1935, at the Home for Incurables in the Bronx, NY, following a long illness. He was seventy-two years old. A widower at the time of his death, he was survived by his son, the noted etcher Edward Moran of Garden City, NY, and his brother, artist John Leon Moran of Plainfield, NJ. Private funeral services were held in East Hampton, Long Island, and he was interred at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton, NY.
Moran’s work has been preserved in numerous public and private collections, including the Wilstach Collection in Philadelphia, Masonic Hall in Chicago, the Hamilton Club in Brooklyn, and the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth, MA.
Obituary From Brooklyn Eagle
Brooklyn, NY / Tuesday, March 26, 1935 / Page 13 / Edward P. Moran, Noted Painter, Dies At 72; Long Ill
Edward Percy Moran, noted painter, died yesterday at the Home for Incurables in the Bronx following a long Illness. He was 72.
Mr. Moran, who used the name of Percy Moran, came from a family of prominent artists. Historical subjects, principally Colonial scenes, were his specialty. One of his most famous paintings, “The Woodcutter’s Daughter,” is in the Crescent Athletic-Hamilton Club. At one time he had studios in East Hampton.
A native of Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Edward Moran, well-known marine painter, and the late Mrs. Elizabeth McManes Moran. He studied under his father, whose three brothers, Thomas, Peter and John, now dead, were also noted artists.
He received his training at the Pennsylvania Academy the of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, the National Academy of Design here and also studied for a time abroad.
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Reference
Independent research by the authors
New Hampshire Scenery