Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Great Understanding, untitled illustration
Alternate Title(s):The Great Understanding
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1915
Dimensions:
33 1/8 × 25 1/8 in. (84.1 × 63.8 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.748
Research Number: NCW: 748
InscribedUpper left: N. C. WYETH (underlined); written on reverse of canvas in pencil: Call up Miss Roltins / before working a cut / 7 1/2 high / Feb McClures / Hold blue (underlined); each stretcher member branded: Glendale N.Y. 25; on left stretcher member near lower corner, handwritten in black: 7600
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth; Carolyn Wyeth; (Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, DE, 1989)
Exhibition HistoryGreenville, DE, 1995; Greenville, DE, Somerville Manning Gallery, "N. C. Wyeth: Painter and Illustrator," June 14-Sept. 14, 2019;
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 266; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.586, p. 312
Curatorial RemarksThis is one of the very few of Wyeth's illustrations for magazine stories that carry a comment by the artist. To the right of the reproduction is this text: "In this illustration I have endeavored to convey the mood of this powerful story--to interpret that potential, ominous spirit. To me the tale appeals as a fragment of Tolstoy or Turgeneff. N. C. W."
The painting was photographed in 1969, one of approximately 3 dozen paintings from the artist's studio that had been stored unstretched (Brandywine River Museum, catalogue raisonné files).
The painting was photographed in 1969, one of approximately 3 dozen paintings from the artist's studio that had been stored unstretched (Brandywine River Museum, catalogue raisonné files).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Digital photography directly from artwork
Photo Credit:Rick Echelmeyer, 5/31/2006