Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Story of Whaling
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1940
Dimensions:
26 3/4 × 25 1/4 in. (67.9 × 64.1 cm)
Bill Foxley, La Jolla, CA
Accession number: SUPP2000.295
Research Number: NCW: 295
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined); Renaissance Panel label adhered to reverse, no. 827, dated 10/27/(19)39
ProvenanceJohn Morrell & Company, Ottumwa, IA; gift to The University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 1941, through early 1980s; Colllection of H. Lauren Lewis; (?); (Spanierman Gallery, New York, NY, 1999); Private collection, Wilmington, DE, 1999-2001; (Christie's, New York, NY, Nov. 29, 2001, lot no. 56)
Exhibition HistoryChadds Ford, PA, 1976(2)
References
N. C. Wyeth, Income tax notes for 1940 (unpublished, Brandywine River Museum library); Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), ps. 156, 291; Milo Dailey, "Given to University by John Morrell & Co. Collection of N. C. Wyeth Paintings Hanging in USD School of Business" Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Sept. 13, 1972, p. 19; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.136, p. 682, 683; Diego Cordoba, "N. C. Wyeth," in Illustrators Magazine (London: The Book Place), Autumn 2018, issue 23, illus. p. 29
Curatorial RemarksAccording to notes compiled for his 1940 income taxes, Wyeth conducted research for this painting in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. He also noted an expense for $ 54.50 to purchase "The Yankee Whaler," which may refer to a 1926 book by Clifford Ashley in the artist's studio library (NCWS.95.625), and 9 other books on whaling. NCW 1367 is the charcoal composition drawing for the painting.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency from painting
Photo Credit:Rick Echelmeyer, 10/1999