Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Sea Calls You
Date: 1917
Dimensions:
approximately 72 × 120 in. (182.9 × 304.8 cm)
known by reproduction only
Accession number: SUPP2000.2378
Research Number: NCW: 2378
References
Henry Reuterdahl, "How the American Artists Are Helping Their Navy," Scientific American, (June 2, 1917), p. 552; "Recruiting Posters Issued by the U. S. Navy Since the Declaration of War," U. S. Navy Recruiting Bureau, 1918, b/w illustration; Betsy James Wyeth, ed., The Wyeths, The Letters of N. C. Wyeth, 1901-1945 (Boston: Gambit, 1971), p. 548; Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), p. 289; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, Catalogue Raisonne of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), O.5, p. 834
Curatorial RemarksIn May, 1917, Wyeth wrote, "The publicity Department of the U. S. Navy has asked for work--it must be rushed to be of service....Today I completed a large mural poster, 6 x 10 feet, of the call of Neptune to protect the freedom of the seas. The canvas has at least the virtue of being compelling" (NCW to Henriette Zirngiebel Wyeth, May 3, 1917, Wyeth family Archives). His war work even attracted the attention of the local press, dateline Chadds Ford, PA, May 14, "N. C. Wyeth, the artist, is kept busy doing his own paintings and making signs for the government in interest of the Army and Navy" (Wilmington Morning News, May 15, 1917)
A similar sea creature appeared in Wyeth's 1915 painting for the Submarine Grill at the Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City (NCW 2406) and he would rework the image again in 1922 for a calendar illustration (NCW 1001).;"It was announced at a meeting last night that N. C. Wyeth, the artist, would paint a handsome poster to be displayed in front of the old City Hall building." [Wilmington, DE, Morning News, April 28, 1917, p. 4]; "Announcement was made that a naval recruiting poster, painted by N. C. Wyeth, artist of Chadds Ford, Pa., will be put in front of the old City Hall..." [Wilmington News Journal, April 28, 1917, p. 2]; "Colonel George A. Elliott arose and spoke...(making) frequent reference to the U-boats as "reptiles of the sea." Before the entrance to the Queen Theatre a painting by N. C. Wyeth was displayed. It showed Neptune with his trident and horn while in the distance could be seen our battleships, presumably of our navy. Underneath were written the words, "The Sea Calls You." " [Wilmington, DE,Morning News, May 7, 1917, p. 2]; "Colonel Elliott...called attention to a large poster at the entrance. The picture, entitled "The Sea Calls You," was painted by N. C. Wyeth of Chadds Ford, Pa., and will be put in front of the old City Hall. Col. Elliott said it represents Father Neptune calling the United States Navy to come and rid the sea of reptiles (German submarines), the idea being that when the United States Navy does come, the reptiles will be swept away." (The Wilmington, DE, News Journal, May 7, 1917, p. 5).
A similar sea creature appeared in Wyeth's 1915 painting for the Submarine Grill at the Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City (NCW 2406) and he would rework the image again in 1922 for a calendar illustration (NCW 1001).;"It was announced at a meeting last night that N. C. Wyeth, the artist, would paint a handsome poster to be displayed in front of the old City Hall building." [Wilmington, DE, Morning News, April 28, 1917, p. 4]; "Announcement was made that a naval recruiting poster, painted by N. C. Wyeth, artist of Chadds Ford, Pa., will be put in front of the old City Hall..." [Wilmington News Journal, April 28, 1917, p. 2]; "Colonel George A. Elliott arose and spoke...(making) frequent reference to the U-boats as "reptiles of the sea." Before the entrance to the Queen Theatre a painting by N. C. Wyeth was displayed. It showed Neptune with his trident and horn while in the distance could be seen our battleships, presumably of our navy. Underneath were written the words, "The Sea Calls You." " [Wilmington, DE,Morning News, May 7, 1917, p. 2]; "Colonel Elliott...called attention to a large poster at the entrance. The picture, entitled "The Sea Calls You," was painted by N. C. Wyeth of Chadds Ford, Pa., and will be put in front of the old City Hall. Col. Elliott said it represents Father Neptune calling the United States Navy to come and rid the sea of reptiles (German submarines), the idea being that when the United States Navy does come, the reptiles will be swept away." (The Wilmington, DE, News Journal, May 7, 1917, p. 5).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:image from printed source (Brandywine River Museum, N. C. Wyeth archives)
Photo Credit:hardcover: Rick Echelmeyer, digital photography from printed source, 12/14/2006: "Recruiting Posters Issued by the U. S. Navy Since the Declaration of War," U. S. Navy Recruiting Bureau, 1918