Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The city of the true cross
Medium: Oil on canvas adhered to hardboard
Date: 1920
Dimensions:
40 × 30 in. (101.6 × 76.2 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1285
Research Number: NCW: 1285
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceThe artist; (?); (Craig and Tarlton, Inc., Raleigh, NC, 1979)
Exhibition HistoryPhiladelphia, PA, 1921
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 209; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.838, p. 413
Curatorial RemarksIn preparation for this commission, the artist read and annotated an edition published by Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, 1907 (Brandywine River Museum library # 22481). In his research on galleons of the period, Wyeth had assistance from fellow Pyle student Sidney M. Chase, who provided him with books and prints from the Haverhill, Massachusetts, public library (NCW to SMC, Dec. 27, 1919, WFA). According to Scribner's records, all paintings in the set were the property of the artist and returned to him on Aug. 19, 1921. Scribner's paid Wyeth $3,500 for the commission.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:David H. Ramsey, 4/2004