Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
New Year's Day
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: ca. 1921
Dimensions:
dimensions unavailable
location unknown
Accession number: SUPP2000.2240
Research Number: NCW: 2240
InscribedLower right (below text block): N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceCharles Daniel Frey, Chicago, IL
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), p. 287; David Michaelis, N. C. Wyeth, A Biography (New York: Knopf, 1998), p. 285; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.54, p. 655
Curatorial RemarksDavid Michaelis attributes Wyeth's conception of this image to a remark in the Needham, Massachusetts newspaper which likened the destruction of trees by an ice storm to the work of "a giant striding over the town, (swinging) a scythe" (Michaelis, p. 285). But the metaphor was published in the Dec. 3, 1921 paper, probably after the completion of the copyrighted 1921 image. It is more likely that Wyeth drew on traditional depictions of Father Time and the Grim Reaper.
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. By 1947, Frey could not account for the whereabouts of this painting (Charles Daniel Frey to James P. Simpson, Feb. 14. 1947, Brandywine River Museum Library). Text was added to the block during the reproduction process.
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. By 1947, Frey could not account for the whereabouts of this painting (Charles Daniel Frey to James P. Simpson, Feb. 14. 1947, Brandywine River Museum Library). Text was added to the block during the reproduction process.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:image from printed source (Brandywine River Museum library, printer's proof, #4333c)
Photo Credit:hardcover: Rick Echelmeyer, 3/24/2006