Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Popular Magazine, cover illustration
Alternate Title(s):Two Hunters; Deer Hunters
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1914
Dimensions:
41 1/2 × 28 3/4 in. (105.4 × 73 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1875
Research Number: NCW: 1875
InscribedLower left: N C WYETH (underlined, not in artist's hand); signed again at lower left of design beneath tacking edge, in artist's hand: N. C. WYETH; on reverse, written on excess canvas at top: Popular (underlined) / 421 / ENX; written on reverse of canvas at center: 5558 (underlined)
ProvenanceProbably Street & Smith, New York, NY; Mr. Brown (Street & Smith employee); Harriet Brown Terwilliger, to 1966; Collection of Carol Campbell Beach, to 1979; Private collection, to 2012; (Reno, NV, Coeur d'Alene Art Auction, July 21, 2012, lot no. 129, as "Deer Hunters");
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), p. 269; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.557, p. 302
Curatorial RemarksIn a letter to his mother discussing the importance of painting directly from nature and from knowledge of fact, Wyeth mentions what is probably this canvas: "My last cover for Mr. Heines easily "topped" anything I ever did for publication--this too was done from true sources, which has also added to the contrast" (Wyeth Family Archives, NCW to HZW dated in another hand March 31, 1915, by NCW "Chadds Ford / Pa -- / Wednesday.")
The work has been restretched and carries an addition; parts of the design extend over the tacking edge at the top, bottom and left sides, and approximately 5 inches has been added to the top of the design which does not continue over the tacking edge on the left. This suggests that the image may have been done for another purpose, and then altered to fit the design conventions of the magazine cover.
The work has been restretched and carries an addition; parts of the design extend over the tacking edge at the top, bottom and left sides, and approximately 5 inches has been added to the top of the design which does not continue over the tacking edge on the left. This suggests that the image may have been done for another purpose, and then altered to fit the design conventions of the magazine cover.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:1. Painting after conservation; 2. Photography from printed source (Brandywine River Museum library, tear sheet); 3. and 4. Painting in 2007, prior to conservation treatment
Photo Credit:1. Photo courtesy Coeur d'Alene Art Auction, Hayden, Idaho. 2. Rick Echelmeyer, 7/19/2005; 3.-4. Photography by Richard Gehrke