Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Title unknown (possibly "Silk," a camel caravan crossing high mountain pass)
Alternate Title(s):Marching Soldiers
Medium: Graphite on paper
Date: ca. 1940
Dimensions:
SIGHT: H: 18 1/2 in, W: 17 3/4 in
Accession number: SUPP2000.1539
Research Number: NCW: 1539
InscribedLower right: N.C.W.
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth; Carolyn Wyeth; Frank E. Fowler, 1975
Exhibition HistoryAlbany, GA, 1981, no. 1
Curatorial RemarksThis composition does not correspond to a known painting, and is probably a design that was discarded. In proportion and stylistically the drawing is reminiscent of those images for "The Romance of Commerce" series, and in the correspondence referenced below, the drawing is called "SILK (a caravan crossing the Himalayas)," supporting the suggestion that the drawing was related to the Commerce commission. The rough dimensions were given as 18 x 19 inches. The image in the series would have been replaced by NCW 829, a design which takes advantage of the opulent colors of the silk clothing worn by the figures.
After N. C. Wyeth's death, this drawing was selected by Andrew Wyeth for inclusion in a scrapbook titled "Drawings & Sketches of N. C. Wyeth, NA." Andrew Wyeth ordered the scrapbook from G. Alan Chidsey of Great Neck, NY. Correspondence (Chidsey to AW, 10/24/46, copy Brandywine River Museum of Art) makes it clear that this drawing was ultimately not included in the scrapbook that was presented to Mrs. N. C. Wyeth at Christmas, 1946.
After N. C. Wyeth's death, this drawing was selected by Andrew Wyeth for inclusion in a scrapbook titled "Drawings & Sketches of N. C. Wyeth, NA." Andrew Wyeth ordered the scrapbook from G. Alan Chidsey of Great Neck, NY. Correspondence (Chidsey to AW, 10/24/46, copy Brandywine River Museum of Art) makes it clear that this drawing was ultimately not included in the scrapbook that was presented to Mrs. N. C. Wyeth at Christmas, 1946.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Digital photography directly from drawing
Photo Credit:Patrick Cox Photography, 4/21/2006