Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Alchemist
Medium: Oil on canvas on hardboard
Date: 1937
Dimensions:
75 3/4 × 50 5/8 in. (192.4 × 128.6 cm)
Courtesy of the Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections, Philadelphia, PA
Accession number: SUPP2000.1155
Research Number: NCW: 1155
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceHercules Powder Company, Inc. (Hercules Incorporated), Wilmington, DE, 1937-2002; (Christie's, New York, NY, April 25, 2002, lot no. 60)
Exhibition HistoryAnnville, PA, Lebanon Valley College, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, "N. C. Wyeth: Storyteller," Aug. 28 - Oct. 11, 2009
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 153, illustration in color p. 154; Bob Strauss, Beverly Strauss, American Sporting Advertising, Vol. I, Posters and Calendars (Jefferson, ME: Circus Promotions Corp., 1987), HE-25; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.116, p. 674, 675; Diego Cordoba, "N. C. Wyeth," in Illustrators Magazine (London: The Book Place), Autumn 2018, issue 23, illus. p. 33
Curatorial RemarksNCW to CBW, June 6, 1937, [Theodore] "Marvin came out Monday evening to view "The Alchemist"; was very much impressed and had it trucked into the office yesterday morning to show the board of directors. Have heard no word yet."
In a letter to his wife dated June 14, 1937, the artist wrote, "A week ago today "the Alchemist" was delivered to Hercules and has recieved the complete blessing of that august body. One change was suggested ... which I accomplished yesterday by going to their offices and applying a touch or two. So now it's done and the deal will be closed promptly. They are really quite keen about it." (Wyeth Family Archives). The Brandywine River Museum holds a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.176) of the composition drawing which shows slight differences in detail. NCWS.95.6593 is a calendar reproduction of the image that the artist signed to George Gillett Whitney.
In a letter to his wife dated June 14, 1937, the artist wrote, "A week ago today "the Alchemist" was delivered to Hercules and has recieved the complete blessing of that august body. One change was suggested ... which I accomplished yesterday by going to their offices and applying a touch or two. So now it's done and the deal will be closed promptly. They are really quite keen about it." (Wyeth Family Archives). The Brandywine River Museum holds a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.176) of the composition drawing which shows slight differences in detail. NCWS.95.6593 is a calendar reproduction of the image that the artist signed to George Gillett Whitney.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:1. Transparency directly from art work; 2. view of the back of the panel
Photo Credit:1. Courtesy of the Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections, Philadelphia, PA, Photo by Will Brown; 2. Courtesy of the Chemical Heritage Foundation Collections