Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Independence Day
Alternate Title(s):At Concord Bridge; Fourth of July; Fight on Concord Bridge
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1921
Dimensions:
33 1/2 × 30 3/8 in. (85.1 × 77.2 cm)
Collection of S. Hallock du Pont, Jr.
Accession number: SUPP2000.278
Research Number: NCW: 278
InscribedUpper right: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceCharles Daniel Frey, Chicago, IL, to at least 1947; (?); (Knoedler Galleries, New York, NY, ca. 1965-at least 1972, no. CA6666); by 1974, Collection of S. Hallock du Pont, Jr.
Exhibition HistoryHarrisburg, PA, 1965, no. 66; Greenville, SC, 1974, no. 33; Chadds Ford, PA, 1976(2);
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr. N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 287; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.51, p. 654
Curatorial RemarksThe skirmish at the bridge in Concord was a subject particularly close to the artist, and this painting is the second of two he did of the scene. Presently the painting is only 3/4 of its original size; an archival photograph at the Brandywine River Museum shows that the image included a painted text block at the bottom of the picture. The artist mentions this picture as "just finished" in a letter to his mother dated April 17,1921 (Boston Public Library, Dept. of Rare Books and Manuscripts). Frey's ownership is confirmed by a letter to James P. Simpson, Feb. 14, 1947, Brandywine River Museum.
The Canterbury Company of Chicago, owned by advertising executive Charles Daniel Frey, published a complete bank advertising service which included posters used as window displays.
The Canterbury Company of Chicago, owned by advertising executive Charles Daniel Frey, published a complete bank advertising service which included posters used as window displays.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:1. Transparency directly from painting; 2. Archival photograph (Brandywine River Museum) showing original appearance of painting with text block
Photo Credit:Photo by S. Hallock du Pont, Jr., 1/2003