Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Behind Them Streamed the Mingled Traffic of a Road that Led to a Great City
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1912
Dimensions:
47 1/8 × 38 1/8 in. (119.7 × 96.8 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.761
Research Number: NCW: 761
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined); adhered to reverse of canvas, Scribner's label, #29716, Behind them streamed the traffic -- The Stable of the Inn / Dec. 1912 - frontis. / THIS COPYRIGHTED PICTURE, etc.; all four stretcher keys are marked: PATd. / FEB. 13 / 1883 / JUNE 16 / 1885 / A. D. S.
ProvenanceCharles Scribner's Sons, New York, NY; (?); Private collection and descended in family
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 276; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.456, p. 266
Curatorial RemarksJoseph H. Chapin of Scribner's gave the text of this story to the artist in mid-February, 1912. Wyeth wrote to his wife, "...I shall make two drawings (200 per) for the Xmas number. Thos. Nelson Page--a delightful simple account of the birth of Christ and Joseph's and Mary's trip to Jerusalem previous to it" (NCW to Carolyn Bockius Wyeth, Feb. 20, 1912, Wyeth Family Archives). In a later, undated letter (NCW to Henriette Zirngiebel Wyeth, dated in NCW's hand "Chadds Ford / Thursday," Wyeth Family Archives) Wyeth refers to "Joseph and Mary questioning the Shepherds"; he must have changed the subject of this picture after that reference.
According to a Scribner's file card (Brandywine River Museum library), this painting was loaned indefinitely to Roy Sarles Durstine of "Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn," a New York advertising firm (Scribner's card #29716, Brandywine River Museum library) who may have been the first owner.
According to a Scribner's file card (Brandywine River Museum library), this painting was loaned indefinitely to Roy Sarles Durstine of "Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn," a New York advertising firm (Scribner's card #29716, Brandywine River Museum library) who may have been the first owner.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Snapshot directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy of owner