Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Robin Hood and Friar Tuck
Alternate Title(s):The Ballad of Robin Hood
Medium: Oil on hardboard
Date: 1937
Dimensions:
sight: 39 1/4 x 29 3/4 in. (99.6 x 75.5 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.604
Research Number: NCW: 604
InscribedUpper left: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceHorace S. Scarritt, West Orange, NJ, and descended in family; Arthur W. Miller; Private collection, CT; (Sotheby's, New York, NY, Dec. 1. 2004, lot no. 264; sold after auction)
Exhibition HistoryWilmington, DE, 1938(1), no. 127
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), p. 205; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.1236, p. 561
Curatorial RemarksWyeth completed the color work on this painting in Maine, however because the transfer of the design from paper to panel necessitated the lantern slide projector he did that initial work in the Chadds Ford studio before leaving for Port Clyde (NCW to Carolyn Bockius Wyeth, June 9, 1937, Wyeth Family Archives). Correspondence between James P. Simpson and Ginn and Company reveals that this image of a friar supporting, if not actually committing, a robbery was considered morally offensive and was removed from subsequent printings marked 837.11 and 838.4. (James P. Simpson to Edmund W. Stevens, July 24, 1946, Brandywine River Museum Library). Wyeth replaced the image with one of Robin Hood and Little John walking through Sherwood forest (see NCW 603). NCW 1361 is the composition drawing for this image, and the Brandywine River Museum holds a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.80) made from the drawing that was used in the transfer of the image from paper to panel. Horace Scarritt's name appears in the artist's address book (Brandywine River Museum, NCWS.95.1174).
In 2004, the painting was auctioned with a painted frame that continued the design of the picture. Both Ann Wyeth McCoy and Andrew Wyeth agreed that the frame was not their father's work.
In 2004, the painting was auctioned with a painted frame that continued the design of the picture. Both Ann Wyeth McCoy and Andrew Wyeth agreed that the frame was not their father's work.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Paul Mutino, 2/2004