Painting Mount Olympus - No Easy Task for Mere Mortals

By Donna Poulton

Artist: Mark Knudsen, 2010.  Credit: Private Collection and courtesy of Mark Knudsen

Mount Olympus is not the tallest mountain in the Wasatch Range, but anyone who has seen this natural wonder will agree with the early pioneers who bestowed upon it the Greek name for ‘the home of the gods.’  Mount Olympus acts as an anchor in the Salt Lake Valley, an unchanging reference point locating residents both in their environment and their history.

Artist: Gilbert Munger, 1877.  Credit: Springville Museum of Art

Settling in its shadow, early pioneers recognized the mountain’s importance as source of water in a dry land and for the abundant timber that cloaked the lower reaches of the massive granite façade.  For those who worked with their hands, the gods of Mount Olympus offered up rich rewards.  But it was when the pioneers put away their plows and saws and picked up pencils and paintbrushes that the true majesty of Mount Olympus came to light.  For the past century and a half, some of America’s greatest artists have attempted to do justice to Mount Olympus…not an easy task for mere mortals.

Artist: James T. Harwood, 1938. Credit: Corporate Collection of Snow, Christensen & Martineau

Artist: Edwin Deakin, 1883. Credit: Private Collection

Artist: David Miekle, 2003. Credit: David Meikle

Artist: Victor LeCheminant, 1950s. Credit: Doug LeCheminant

Artist: Linda Curley Christensen, 2010. Credit: Linda Curley

Artist: Rob Colvin, 2009.  Credit: Rob Colvin

Artist: Leslie Thomas, 2010.  Credit: Leslie Thomas

Artist: Edward Maryon, 1988.  Credit: Corporate Collection of Mt. Olympus Waters