Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Wallace draws the King's sword
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1921
Dimensions:
40 x 32 in.
Collection of Linda L. Bean
Accession number: SUPP2000.1796
Research Number: NCW: 1796
Inscribedupper right: N C Wyeth; affixed to reverse, printed Charles Scribner's Sons label, inscribed in ink: Wyeth N. C. / Wallace draws the King's Sword / Scottish Chiefs (underlined) / October, 1921 p. 318; inscribed on canvas in red to left of label: 596?(last digit is possibly a 3)
ProvenanceThe artist (returned to him from Scribner's, 10/26/1922, according to Scribner's records); purchased by member of publisher's family and descended in same; [Boston, MA, Skinner, Jan. 26, 2018, lot no. 375]; Collection of Linda L. Bean, Port Clyde, ME
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 215; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.867, p. 425
Curatorial RemarksIn preparation for this commission, Wyeth read an undated edition of The Scottish Chiefs published by Thomas D. Crowell Company, New York, illustrated with photographs of Scottish scenery (Brandywine River Museum NCWS.95.184). He also had in his studio library the 8 volume "Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments" pulished by Fullerton & Co. of Edinburgh (BRMA, NCWS.95.232.1-.8).
Wyeth was extremely concerned about the quality of the reproductions for this commission--he had generously used blue and green pigments throughout, difficult for printers to duplicate. For this commission, the plates were engraved by the Suffolk Engraving and Electrotyping Company (see Scribner's cards, Brandywine River Museum of Art) and printed by Bowker (NCW to Joseph Hawley Chapin, dated "Tuesday morning, 6:15" probably June, 1921, Charles Scribner's Sons Archives, Princeton University).
Wyeth was extremely concerned about the quality of the reproductions for this commission--he had generously used blue and green pigments throughout, difficult for printers to duplicate. For this commission, the plates were engraved by the Suffolk Engraving and Electrotyping Company (see Scribner's cards, Brandywine River Museum of Art) and printed by Bowker (NCW to Joseph Hawley Chapin, dated "Tuesday morning, 6:15" probably June, 1921, Charles Scribner's Sons Archives, Princeton University).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Digital scan from printed image (artist's proof, Brandywine River Museum Library)
Photo Credit:web: BRM staff, 11/2005; hardcover: Rick Echelmeyer, 3/2006