Just got back from a visit to Seattle to see "Beauty and Bounty" an exhibit of 19th and early 20th century landscape paintings at the Seattle Art Museum. I LOVED it. A good-sized sampling of Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, and their contemporaries. Some of the paintings are from private collections, and some are lesser-known works , and some are just amazing. And of course, they're best in person.
It was interesting to go through the exhibit several times. First, I just appreciated the paintings, enjoying their beauty and expression. Next, I went through, looking at technique and compositional choices. Last, I went through more quickly, noticing which paintings grabbed my attention and held it, trying to figure out why.
The exhibit is there through Sept 11. Highly recommended for landscape painters.