Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Reredos design, Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Washington National Cathedral
Medium: Watercolor and gouache on illustration board, sandwiched between mat board and drawing paper; dove panels are watercolor on paper, adhered to reverse of mat
Date: 1934
Dimensions:
39 11/16 × 26 1/4 in. (100.8 × 66.7 cm)
Brandywine River Museum of Art, Bequest of Carolyn Wyeth, 1996
Accession number: 96.1.37
Research Number: NCW: 1552
InscribedLower right: N.C. WYETH / 1934; written on mat board: ORIGINAL WATER-COLOR SKETCH / for / THE CHAPEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL WASHINGTON D.C.
ProvenanceMrs. N. C. Wyeth; Carolyn Wyeth
References
Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), M.51, p. 622
Curatorial RemarksThis piece was found as is in the artist's studio, and NCW 1862, 1863 and 1864 are probably the three missing panels. The contract, signed Dec. 15, 1933 (Washington National Cathedral records), stipulated that "Wyeth shall submit preliminary sketches until the subject matter and its manner of execution shall have been selected jointly by the Catherdral Building Committee and the Architects." The elaborate presentation and the label at the bottom of the mat suggest that this piece was an important display at sometime, possibly depicting the scheme approved by the building committee.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Rick Echelmeyer, 1/2005