Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Assyrians had camped on the plains beyond the walls, and the whole city was paralyzed with fear. Only Isaiah was unterrified. In majestic calm he stood and hurled his defiance at the enemy
Alternate Title(s):Prophet Isaiah and Sons; The Sons of the Prophet Isaiah
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1929
Dimensions:
42 × 32 in. (106.7 × 81.3 cm)
Nat Wyeth Fritsche
Accession number: SUPP2000.819
Research Number: NCW: 819
InscribedLower right: TO NATALIE / from Uncle CONVERS / N. C. WYETH / June 1931; on reverse of canvas: The Sons of the Prophet Isaiah; sticker on back of frame: The Prophet Isaiah defying a passing army of Saracens from the wall of Jerusalem. (His two young sons are with him in spirit and action; but others, more fearful are amazed and frightened at this boldness). This is an episode out of the Old Testament.
ProvenanceThe artist; gift to Natalie Wyeth; descended in family
Exhibition HistoryWilmington, DE, 1930(1), no. 40, as "The Sons of the Prophet Isaiah"; Greenville, SC, 1974, no. 10, as "Prophet Isaiah and Sons"
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York, Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), p. 259; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.1112, p. 519
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Joseph Painter, 12/2003