Frederick Dellenbaugh, Zion Canyon, 1903. Donated by Zion National Park Forever Project. Museum Catalog No. ZION 38105.

Frederick Dellenbaugh (1853–1935) first visited Zion Canyon as an artist with John Wesley Powell’s second expedition down the Colorado River in 1871–72. He returned to Zion in May 1903, when he wrote an article for Scribner’s Magazine, a popular illustrated monthly, describing the surreal beauty of Zion Canyon—what he called “A New Valley of Wonders.” Many of Dellenbaugh’s photographs were included in the article, and he also made a series of oil paintings, including this one, which he may have exhibited at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. His words and images stirred interest in the area, and intrigued outsiders who were curious and skeptical about the scenery he described.