Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Journals of Bronson Alcott, frontispiece illustration
Alternate Title(s):Portrait of Bronson Alcott
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1937
Dimensions:
24 × 16 in. (61 × 40.6 cm)
Brandywine Fantasy Gallery
Accession number: SUPP2000.1135
Research Number: NCW: 1135
InscribedNear lower right: W (two dots under letter); adhered to reverse of panel, label of the F. Weber Company, no. 555 and dated 2/26/1937; painted on reverse of panel in white paint: NOTICE: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ("under no circumstances" is underlined) APPLY ANY VARNISH / VASELINE OR OTHER APPLICATIONS TO THIS PAINTING / N. C. WYETH. (underlined)
ProvenancePrivate collection to 1992
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), p. 217; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.1219, p. 553
Curatorial RemarksEnclosing a sketch for the proposed design, the artist wrote Feb. 12, 1937, to Roger L. Scaife, editor at Little Brown, "I would try for a subtile (sic) hypnotic appeal from the eyes and a sensitive drift of whimsey and warm humor expressed in the face....Do you have anyone in Concord who could wangle things so we could get a photo of the Alcott bust in the Orchard House - or is it in the Public Library there?...What I want is a strictly front view of the head, and a little from above or as though the head were tilted forward a bit....Also, can you send me Mr. Shepard's Pedlar's Progress to read?" (text of letter, Brandywine River Museum catalogue raisonne files). The Andrew and Betsy Wyeth collection includes a composition drawing (NCW 2130).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy of Brandywine Fantasy Gallery, 1992