Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Scout
Alternate Title(s):Mustered Out
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1912
Dimensions:
47 × 32 in. (119.4 × 81.3 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.385
Research Number: NCW: 385
Inscribedlower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceThe artist; gift to Robert W. Douthat and his daughter, Dana Douthat, ca. 1919; Dana Douthat Stanley; (?); (Maxwell Galleries, San Francisco, CA, 1968)
Exhibition HistorySan Francisco, CA, Maxwell Galleries, "American Art Since 1850," Aug. 2-31, 1968, no. 384
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 208; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.376, p. 241
Curatorial RemarksRobert W. Douthat, a professor at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, and a Civil War veteran, probably met N. C. Wyeth through their mutual friend Chris Sanderson (see Thomas R. Thompson, Chris [Philadelphia: Dorrance & Company, 1973) for information on Douthat and Sanderson). Douthat was an officer in Lee's army from 1861-1865 and participated in most of Lee's battles, which probably interested N. C. Wyeth (see James Morton Callahan, Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley, West Virginia (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1912), ps. 625-626. Note courtesy of Harold M. Forbes, Associate Curator, Special Collections, University Libraries, West Virginia University);From the following letter written in August, 1911, it is clear that Wyeth must have used Miller's "Photographic History of the Civil War," published in 1911, as a reference for the Cease Firing images. "Chadds Ford, Pa. / (to) Review of Reviews Co., New York City / Dear Sirs / It is far beyond any of my words to tell you what the "Photographic History of the Civil War" means to me. To be drawn so intimately in touch with those stirring days is like realizing an extravagant dream! - The impression made upon me is deep and profound and I feel highly grateful for the revelation. I don't know how to thank you! Furthermore, being an illustrator, the books are invaluable as a source of information. / Yours sincerely, / N. C. Wyeth." The ten volumes are catalogued in the studio library (NCWS.95.94).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Photography from painting
Photo Credit:Curatorial files, Brandywine River Museum