Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
untitled (three Indians at a stream in snowy woods)
Alternate Title(s):Three Indians in Maine; Three Indians Pause by the Stream's Edge - Winter
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1904
Dimensions:
39 × 24 in. (99.1 × 61 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.2099
Research Number: NCW: 2099
InscribedNone
ProvenanceMr. and Mrs. Sidney Stewart, Needham, MA; Mr. James Turbayne, Needham, MA; (Cambridge, MA, James R. Bakker Antiques, Inc., Sept. 15, 1996, lot no. 102,as "Three Indians Pause by the Stream's Edge - Winter"); Private collection, Cambridge, MA; (New York, NY, Christie's, Dec. 2, 1998, lot no. 61, as "Three Indians in Maine";
References
Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.42, p. 115
Curatorial RemarksPyle required oil compositions of his students for a weekly criticism class, and this painting is particularly well documented in a letter. "Friday night about five-thirty I went in Arthurs studio which was then vacant and layed down beside Schoonover's "pack toboggan" which has just come. I fell to pipe dreaming when all of a sudden I perceived a vivid picture of three Indians in their pre-historic garb discussing and examining a fresh moose track in the ponderous depths of a Maine woods. It was so clear and distinct in my mind I did not think over five minutes as to how I should do it. I instantly made a wild dash for the supply store and took out the essential articles to produce a canvas 40" by 25". ...7 a.m. found me slapping on paint at a great rate. I worked steady all Sat. ... and at five in the afternoon had finished the best thing I ever did. I was surprised at myself at the good color which I did not realize I was obtaining...I think I'll pass it in as a composition. I will then get a deep crit. on it and possible make another for exhibition purposes" (NCW to Henriette Zirngiebel Wyeth, dated by NCW "6.30 Monday morning" and in another hand March 21. 1904, Wyeth Family Archives).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:photography directly from artwork