Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Enthusiast
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1909
Dimensions:
approximately 42 × 30 1/2 in. (106.7 × 77.5 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.585
Research Number: NCW: 585
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined) / '09
ProvenanceHorton Manufacturing Company (Bristol Rods), Bristol, CT; Collection of Pretyman G. Young, Bristol, CT; (offered by Pierce Galleries, Inc., Hingham, MA, and Judy Goffman Fine Art, New York, NY in 1977); (Christie's, New York, NY, Benefit auction for the School of General Studies, Columbia University, Dec. 5, 1977, no. 40)
References
"Tricks and Knacks of Fishing," (Bristol, CT: Horton Manufacturing Company, 1911), illus. p. 104; John Delph, Firearms & Tackle Memorabilia, A Collector's Guide (West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1991), p. 13; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.8, p. 640
Curatorial RemarksThe title, date, use and ownership of this painting were documented in "Tricks and Knacks of Fishing," the 1911 publication of the Horton Manufacturing Company: ""The Enthusiast" was made from an oil painting by the angler-artist, N. C. Wyeth. The 20,000 calendars made from this painting were all disposed of, and between 500 and 600 orders in excess of the supply had to be returned. The original painting is now very valuable, but it is not for sale. It has a prominent place in the "Bristol" Fishing Gallery."
Additional work for Horton is documented in a 1910 letter the artist wrote: "... made a sketch, which was accepted, for another Horton fishing rod advertisement..." (NCW to HZW, April 10 or 14, 1910, Wyeth Family Archives). That image has not been identified.
Additional work for Horton is documented in a 1910 letter the artist wrote: "... made a sketch, which was accepted, for another Horton fishing rod advertisement..." (NCW to HZW, April 10 or 14, 1910, Wyeth Family Archives). That image has not been identified.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy Childs Gallery, Boston, MA