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After a long look I saw that he did not resume his narrative. By that I knew that the stranger was troubling him.
After a long look I saw that he did not resume his narrative. By that I knew that the stranger was troubling him.
After a long look I saw that he did not resume his narrative. By that I knew that the stranger was troubling him.
(American, 1882 - 1945)

After a long look I saw that he did not resume his narrative. By that I knew that the stranger was troubling him.

Oil on canvas (black and white)
1911
46 5/8 × 37 5/8 in. (118.4 × 95.6 cm)
2009.8
Purchased with the Museum Volunteers’ Fund, 2009
Not on view

Wyeth painted the illustrations for this story at the same time he was working on the Treasure Island commission. This image, in particular, demonstrates Wyeth’s ability to create memorable characters that add such energy to the narrative. And even though Wyeth was a master colorist, as demonstrated in the Treasure Island paintings, he could create an equally powerful composition using a gray scale palette.

Dropping one of the sage-hens I asked the man behind me to pick it up. As he was groping for it I pulled one of my Colt's revolvers, and hit him over the head. He dropped senseless. // "Wheeling about I saw that the other man, hearing the fall, had turned, his hand upon his revolver. It was no time for argument. I fired and killed him."
Dropping one of the sage-hens I asked the man behind me to pick it up. As he was groping for it I pulled one of my Colt's revolvers, and hit him over the head. He dropped senseless. // "Wheeling about I saw that the other man, hearing the fall, had turned, his hand upon his revolver. It was no time for argument. I fired and killed him."
N.C. Wyeth
1916
He glanced furtively at the faces of the four men about him.
He glanced furtively at the faces of the four men about him.
N.C. Wyeth
1904
"See here Harjes, don't you ask me to do any of your dirty work--because I won't do it!"
"See here Harjes, don't you ask me to do any of your dirty work--because I won't do it!"
N.C. Wyeth
1913
The Body Was Found Close to the Stable with a Bullet in His Back
The Body Was Found Close to the Stable with a Bullet in His Back
Anna Whelan Betts
ca. 1899
Now he knew--the gods had reserved her for him! He leaped at her like a lion, shouting: "I too have found what I wanted--my share of the wealth of Asia!"
Now he knew--the gods had reserved her for him! He leaped at her like a lion, shouting: "I too have found what I wanted--my share of the wealth of Asia!"
N.C. Wyeth
1931
"That trip with Charles was one of the happiest times in my whole life. I got acquainted with my boy in those two weeks, as I never knew him before. I found the man in him"
"That trip with Charles was one of the happiest times in my whole life. I got acquainted with my boy in those two weeks, as I never knew him before. I found the man in him"
N.C. Wyeth
1931
As I turned I saw her kneeling there, her hair all about her face, with her hands stretched out to me: and then I walked blindly away into the long grass of the marsh
As I turned I saw her kneeling there, her hair all about her face, with her hands stretched out to me: and then I walked blindly away into the long grass of the marsh
N.C. Wyeth
1921
"At first, for some time, I was not able to answer him one word; but as he had taken me in his arms, I held fast by him, or I should have fallen to the ground"
"At first, for some time, I was not able to answer him one word; but as he had taken me in his arms, I held fast by him, or I should have fallen to the ground"
N.C. Wyeth
1920
A Cloud Of Dust Poured Over Him, He Lashed Down Wildly. After That There Was Nothing But Spinning Haze In Which He and His Saddle Rocked and Spun....
A Cloud Of Dust Poured Over Him, He Lashed Down Wildly. After That There Was Nothing But Spinning Haze In Which He and His Saddle Rocked and Spun....
N.C. Wyeth
1925
Traveling in the Olden Time
Traveling in the Olden Time
Howard Pyle
ca. 1886
Back and forth across it we went, twisting, straining, holding our strength, each striving to break the grip of the other's fingers on his wrist. I felt his breath upon my face, saw his cold eyes like blue fire burning me.
Back and forth across it we went, twisting, straining, holding our strength, each striving to break the grip of the other's fingers on his wrist. I felt his breath upon my face, saw his cold eyes like blue fire burning me.
N.C. Wyeth
ca. 1914
" 'Twas me that stowed them in the dory."
" 'Twas me that stowed them in the dory."
N.C. Wyeth
1907