Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Primal Chemistry
Alternate Title(s):The Sower
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1941
Dimensions:
52 × 34 1/2 in. (132.1 × 87.6 cm)
Lucas Cultural Arts Museum
San Francisco, CA
Accession number: SUPP2000.1151
Research Number: NCW: 1151
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined); adhered to reverse of panel, Renaissance Panel label, no. (first digit illegible, probably 8) 79, dated 3/14/40
ProvenanceHercules Powder Company, Inc. (Hercules Incorporated), Wilmington, DE, 1941-2002; (Christie's, Beverly Hills, CA, November 20, 2002, lot no. 101)
Exhibition HistoryDover, DE, Wesley College, "The Wyeth Family," April 29 - May 6, 1973
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N. C. Wyeth, Income tax notes for 1941 (unpublished, Brandywine River Museum Library); Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown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, 1972), p. 153; Bob Strauss, Beverly Strauss, American Sporting Advertising, Vol. I, Posters and Calendars (Jefferson, ME: Circus Promotions Corp., 1987), HE-29; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.147, p. 686
Curatorial RemarksIn July 1941 the artist wrote to Henriette Wyeth, "The Sower for Hercules is done to-day and proves to be an arresting and dramatic design" (Wyeth Family Archives). An archival photograph from the artist's studio is stamped by the photographer July 15, 1941 (Brandywine River Museum library). NCW 1224 is a composition drawing for the image.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy of Christie's, 9/2002