Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Don, Pointer Dog
Alternate Title(s):The Holland Pointer
Medium: Oil on canvas on board
Date: 1902
Dimensions:
16 3/4 × 22 in. (42.5 × 55.9 cm)
Collection of Sandy Scott
Accession number: SUPP2000.397
Research Number: NCW: 397
InscribedLower right: N. C. Wyeth / 02
ProvenanceCommissioned by Holland family, West Brimfield, MA, and descended in family (long-term loan to Needham Free Public Library, 1969-1981); (Sotheby's, March 11, 1982, no. 75)
Exhibition HistoryNeedham, MA, Needham Free Public Library, on loan, 1969-1981
Curatorial RemarksThe present work is one of at least two portraits (see also NCW 1354) Wyeth painted of a pedigreed pointer that belonged to a West Brimfield, Massachusetts, family. Wyeth met the family during an April, 1902, walking trip that he took with his brothers and Needham resident Ned Lawrence. Wyeth's published letters (Betsy James Wyeth, ed. The Wyeths, The Letters of N. C. Wyeth, 1901-1945, ps. 13-14) chronicle the trip but do not mention Wyeth sketching the dog. In a letter written to Andrew Wyeth in 1962, the wife of the man who owned the dog and commissioned the painting recalled the artist "sketching the pointer...in the waiting room of the (train) depot. He painted the picture after he returned home...he sent back a rough draft for possible corrections or suggestions as to posture, droop of tail, etc." Wyeth was paid $20.00 (Mrs. B. Holland to Andrew Wyeth, April 14, 1962, curatorial files, Brandywine River Museum).
The present owner (10/2000) said that painting was damaged while on exhibition at the Needham Public Library and that Peter Hurd and Andrew Wyeth restored it. The restoration was documented in the letter by Andrew Wyeth that accompanied the painting at the Sotheby's sale, but was later stolen from the new owner's studio.
The present owner (10/2000) said that painting was damaged while on exhibition at the Needham Public Library and that Peter Hurd and Andrew Wyeth restored it. The restoration was documented in the letter by Andrew Wyeth that accompanied the painting at the Sotheby's sale, but was later stolen from the new owner's studio.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:photography directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy of Sandy Scott