Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Story of Tin
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1940
Dimensions:
27 × 25 in. (68.6 × 63.5 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.831
Research Number: NCW: 831
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined); adhered to reverse of panel, Renaissance Panel label, no. 828, probably dated 10/27/39
ProvenanceJohn Morrell & Company, Ottumwa, IA; gift to The University of South Dakota, 1941; (Sotheby's, New York, NY, Dec. 3, 2003, lot no. 160, "The Story of Salt" is reproduced in error)
References
Milo Dailey, "Given to University by John Morrell & Co. Collection of N. C. Wyeth Paintings Hanging in USD School of Business" Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Sept. 13, 1972, p. 19; Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), ps. 156, 291; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.141, p. 684
Curatorial RemarksThe artist's income tax notes for 1940 itemize the expenses involved in creating this painting. Besides the usual costs for materials and models, particular expenses for this painting were for unspecified books and costumes. NCW 1536 is the composition drawing for this work, and the BRM holds the lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.425) used in the transfer of the design from paper to panel.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy of Sotheby's, 9/2003