The attraction of angling for all ages of man, . . . lies in its uncertainty. 'Tis an affair of luck

Artist:

N.C. Wyeth

(American, 1882 - 1945)

The attraction of angling for all ages of man, . . . lies in its uncertainty. 'Tis an affair of luck

Alternate Title(s):The Strike; possibly, The Passing of Summer
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1919
Dimensions:
approximately 35 x 25 in. (88.8 x 63.4 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1332
Research Number: NCW: 1332
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth (with Knoedler Galleries, New York, NY, #54806); Carolyn Wyeth
Exhibition HistoryPossibly Wilmington, DE, no. 16, as "The Passing of Summer"; New York, NY, 1957, no. 65, as "The Strike" (note that source "Little Rivers" is incorrect)
References Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 221; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.765, p. 390-391
Curatorial RemarksIn a P. S. to a letter dated Dec. 7, 1919 to Scribner's art editor Joseph H. Chapin , Wyeth indicated that he wanted the two illustrations for the Van Dyke book returned to him in time to frame them for an upcoming exhibition (Archives of Charles Scribner's Sons, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University). The other title, A Little River, was shown at the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts Eighth Annunal Exhibition in April, 1920. Included in that exhibition was another painting, titled in the catalogue (number 16) "The Passing of Summer." If Wyeth did send both Van Dyke paintings to the exhibition, "The Passing of Summer" would be this painting.
In 1920, Scribner's published another edition of this title with illustrations by F. Walter Taylor.
The painting occurs in Carolyn Wyeth's early 1970s inventory of work in her father's studio.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Digital photography directly from painting
Photo Credit:Wilson Graham Photography, 10/2006