Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Story of Salt
Medium: Oil on hardboard (Renaissance Panel)
Date: 1940
Dimensions:
27 × 25 in. (68.6 × 63.5 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.828
Research Number: NCW: 828
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined); adhered to reverse of panel, Renaissance Panel label, no. 824, 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. 162, "The Story of Tin" pictured 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.138, p. 683-684
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 5 taxi rides, 4 to Wilmington and 1 to Philadelphia, most likely to use library facilities. The Brandywine River Museum holds two lantern slides (NCWS.95.1825.152 and .153) of the drawing (NCW 1476) 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