Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The American Mother
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1941
Dimensions:
33 7/8 × 25 in. (86 × 63.5 cm)
Brandywine River Museum of Art, Gift of E. R. Squibb & Sons, 1977
Accession number: 77.7
Label Copy:
Beginning early in his career, N. C. Wyeth created pictures for the advertising industry—a practice he came to dislike but accepted nevertheless for the lucrative fees. In April 1941, he was contacted by the advertising manager of the E. R. Squibb Corporation, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, with a vague direction for this commission: "What I should like most of all is to leave you free to create a picture built around the theme of the mother and her interest and concern in the health and welfare of the family" (Clyde Eddy to NCW, 4/17/1941, Wyeth Family Archives). The artist developed this picture based on modeling sessions with his daughter Ann and her son, John Denys McCoy. Wyeth referred to the painting as "The Madonna of the Tiled Room" and completed it by June 5, 1941. According to the artist's 1941 income tax notes, he was paid $1,200 for this commission.
Squibb reproduced this image on poster boards of various sizes, for display in drugstores and other markets for their products. The image reflects a rosy view of the role of the American mother—after December 1941, many women would have their lives changed as they entered the workforce to bolster the war effort.
Beginning early in his career, N. C. Wyeth created pictures for the advertising industry—a practice he came to dislike but accepted nevertheless for the lucrative fees. In April 1941, he was contacted by the advertising manager of the E. R. Squibb Corporation, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, with a vague direction for this commission: "What I should like most of all is to leave you free to create a picture built around the theme of the mother and her interest and concern in the health and welfare of the family" (Clyde Eddy to NCW, 4/17/1941, Wyeth Family Archives). The artist developed this picture based on modeling sessions with his daughter Ann and her son, John Denys McCoy. Wyeth referred to the painting as "The Madonna of the Tiled Room" and completed it by June 5, 1941. According to the artist's 1941 income tax notes, he was paid $1,200 for this commission.
Squibb reproduced this image on poster boards of various sizes, for display in drugstores and other markets for their products. The image reflects a rosy view of the role of the American mother—after December 1941, many women would have their lives changed as they entered the workforce to bolster the war effort.
Research Number: NCW: 312
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined); on reverse of panel: Renaissance Panel label, no. 960, dated 12/26/40; metal plaque on frame. "N. C. Wyeth / The American Mother 1945 / Gift of E.R. Squibb & Sons, Inc. / 1977"
ProvenanceE. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc., 1941-1977
Exhibition HistoryPrinceton, NJ, 1977, no. 12, cover illustration of exhibition brochure
References
N. C. Wyeth, Income Tax Notes for 1941 (unpublished, Brandywine River Museum Library); Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), ps. 289, 295; Brandywine River Museum , Catalogue of the Collection, 1969-1989 (Chadds Ford, PA: Brandywine Conservancy, 1991), p. 216; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.146, p. 686
Curatorial RemarksIn April 1941, Wyeth received a letter from the manager of E. R. Squibb and Son's merchandising department with the following commission: "What I should like most of all is to leave you free to create a picture built around the theme of the mother and her interest and concern in the health and welfare of the family" (Clyde Eddy to NCW, 4/17/1941, Wyeth Family Archives). On June 5, 1941 Wyeth wrote in a letter, "After quite a battle The Madonna of the Tiled Room came out very well" (Wyeth Family Archives). According to the artist's 1941 income tax notes (Brandywine River Musuem of Art, N. C. Wyeth House and Studio Collection), he was paid $1,200 for this commission and the models were his daughter Ann and her son John Denys McCoy. The composition drawing (NCW 2624) is privately owned.
The Brandywine River Museum of Art holds an archival photograph of this image drawn on the panel prior to the application of color (stamped on the reverse: PHOTOGRAPH BY / EDW. J.S. SEAL / CHADDS FORD, PA. / MAY 26 1941); a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.202) of the composition drawing; several display posters (image size 40 5/8 x 29 1/2", BRMA, Annenberg Research Center, #8916); and a mounted poster (BRMA, NCWS.95.6584) that came from the artist's studio.
In a conservation report of 12/4/2011 Joyce Stoner suggested that the panel had been cut down along the top edge.
The Brandywine River Museum of Art holds an archival photograph of this image drawn on the panel prior to the application of color (stamped on the reverse: PHOTOGRAPH BY / EDW. J.S. SEAL / CHADDS FORD, PA. / MAY 26 1941); a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.202) of the composition drawing; several display posters (image size 40 5/8 x 29 1/2", BRMA, Annenberg Research Center, #8916); and a mounted poster (BRMA, NCWS.95.6584) that came from the artist's studio.
In a conservation report of 12/4/2011 Joyce Stoner suggested that the panel had been cut down along the top edge.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:1. photography directly from artwork; 2. archival photograph of design drawn on panel or paper (Brandywine River Museum library)
Photo Credit:2. Edward J. S. Seal
On view