In addition to his studio paintings, Moran often accepted commissions for book and magazine illustrations that required travel. In 1877 he journeyed to Florida to prepare illustrations for an article in Scribner's. Shortly thereafter he began work on an ambitious history painting, Ponce de Leon in Florida. Engaged in a spirited rivalry for government patronage with fellow artist Albert Bierstadt, Moran had hoped to sell Ponce de Leon to Congress. Bierstadt won the battle, less on merit, perhaps, than on the compromise premise that Congress had already purchased two paintings by Moran and only one by Bierstadt.