Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
"I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition"
Alternate Title(s):Robinson Crusoe discovers footprint; The Discovery of the Footprint
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1920
Dimensions:
40 1/2 × 30 in. (102.9 × 76.2 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.338
Research Number: NCW: 338
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH
ProvenanceThe artist to 1923; The Wilmington Institute Library, Wilmington, Delaware, 1923-2014 (Christie's, New York, NY, Dec. 2, 2009, lot no. 133--did not sell at auction; Freeman's, Philadelphia, PA, Dec. 7, 2014, lot no. 66);
Exhibition HistoryWilmington, DE, 1921, no. 83, as "Robinson Crusoe discovers footprint"; Philadelphia, PA, 1921; Boston, MA, 1922; poss. Boston, MA, Boston Public Library, April 1923; Chadds Ford, PA, 1978; Wilmington, DE, 1981; Chadds Ford, PA, 1985; Chadds Ford, PA, Brandywine River Museum, N. C. Wyeth gallery, Feb. 5 - Mar. 14, 2010; Chadds Ford, PA, Brandywine River Museum of Art, June 22-Sept. 15, 2019, "N. C. Wyeth: New Perspectives," illus. p. 161
References
"Wyeth Illustrates the Classics," New York Herald (Book Review), Dec. 5, 1920, illus. b/w p. 7; "Wyeth's Illustrations," (Boston) Transcript, Nov. 28, 1921; illus. in "Rotogravure Section," (Boston) Sunday Herald, Dec. 24, 1922, as "The Discovery of the Footprint"; "Stouthearted Heroes of a Beloved Painter," Life Magazine, vol. 43, no. 24 (Dec. 9, 1957), illus. in color p. 95; Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 203; Carol Billman, "N. C. Wyeth," American History Illustrated, vol. XX, no. 10 (Feb. 1986), illus. in color p. 30; Kate F. Jennings, N. C. Wyeth (New York: Brompton Books Corp., Crescent Books, 1992), illus. in color p. 59; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.819, p. 406-407
Curatorial RemarksThe signature presently on this painting differs from the signature (also in the lower right) that appears in the printed illustration.
The Wilmington Institute Library holds letters to and from the artist regarding the purchase of the Robinson Crusoe paintings. In October, 1921, the Library trustees offered the artist $2,000 for 12 paintings, which were paid for when the paintings were installed in the Children's Room of the new building at 10th and Market Streets in early May 1923 (see letters between NCW and Arthur L. Bailey, Oct. 26, 1921 through May 9, 1923, collection of Wilmington Institute Library).
The Wilmington Institute Library holds letters to and from the artist regarding the purchase of the Robinson Crusoe paintings. In October, 1921, the Library trustees offered the artist $2,000 for 12 paintings, which were paid for when the paintings were installed in the Children's Room of the new building at 10th and Market Streets in early May 1923 (see letters between NCW and Arthur L. Bailey, Oct. 26, 1921 through May 9, 1923, collection of Wilmington Institute Library).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Rick Echelmeyer, 12/1/1999