Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Building the Constitution, composition drawing
Medium: Graphite on paper
Date: ca. 1942 / early 1943
Dimensions:
sheet: 18 3/4 x 13 1/4 in. (47.6 x 33.6 cm)
The Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1449
Research Number: NCW: 1449
InscribedLower right: N. C. W.; note that sheet was adhered to cardboard, which carried the following legend in lower margin: BUILDING of the CONSTITUTION PLEASE RETURN TO N. C. WYETH
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth
Curatorial RemarksWyeth was first approached in Oct. 1942 by Forbes Lithograph Mfg. Company to make "art plates" for educational material Forbes was developing for the Coca-Cola Company. Wyeth worked on several designs for the series in the ensuing months, and the WFA includes a small scrap of paper with "27 1/2 x 40 -- Constitution" in Wyeth's hand filed with a letter from Forbes dated Jan. 14, 1943, even though the letter makes no reference to this particular image. In a letter of Jan. 20, 1943, the art director at Forbes wrote to Wyeth, "I have also received an okay on "The Constitution" and trust you will be able to follow on with this picture...," a strong indication that the present work was complete at that time. In a letter of Jan. 26, Wyeth was instructed to proceed with the commission (specified to be 27 x 40") and on Feb. 10, 1943, Forbes wrote to Wyeth, "Everyone seems pretty well satisfied with the "Constitution" picture," which would seem to indicate a finished painting. However, neither the painting nor a copy of the educational poster has come to light. Scenes for the four small boxes down either side of the design were usually drawn by Forbes staff artists.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:photography directly from artwork
Photo Credit:Rick Echelmeyer