Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Lumber
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1943
Dimensions:
30 × 20 1/2 in. (76.2 × 52.1 cm)
Private collection
Used by permission, Courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company Archives
Accession number: SUPP2000.1691
Research Number: NCW: 1691
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined); adhered to reverse of panel, Renaissance Panel label, no. 1147, dated 2/5/43
ProvenanceThe Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, GA, 1943 - ca. 1970; Sales Promotion Service - Business Antiques Collection, ca. 1970; (Ray Ketcham Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 1971); (American Illustrators Gallery, New York, NY, 1999-2001; Private Collection, CA; (with Christy Lee Fine Arts, Aspen, CO, by at least 5/2006); (with Heather James Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA, by 2013)
Exhibition HistoryAtlanta, GA, High Museum of Art, "Georgia Collects," Jan. 24 - March 6, 1989, illustration p. 92 (also Savannah, GA, Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, April 18 - June 11, 1989)
References
Frederick Houk Law, "Our America, Lumber: Trees, Timber, Wood Products," Teacher's Guide, and corresponding student workbook, developed and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company, copyright 1943, p. 11; Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 287, illustration in color p. 155; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.172, p. 695
Curatorial RemarksThe Wyeth Family Archives includes the order from Forbes for this picture for which the artist was paid $500 (Jan. 25, 1943), and a letter to the artist informing him that the "Lumber Association" found nothing "wrong" with the picture (Feb. 10, 1943). The Brandywine River Musuem holds a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.214) of the composition drawing which was used in the transfer of the design from paper to panel. The BRM library includes copies of the Teacher's Guide, corresponding student workbook, and all educational posters for this unit (BRM 37089.1-7), developed and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Photography directly from artwork
Photo Credit:Courtesy the Archive of the American Illustrators Gallery, NYC