Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
untitled (study of an African American model dressed as a pirate)
Medium: oil on canvas
Date: 1904
Dimensions:
approximately 18 x 12 in. (45.7 x 30.4 cm)
Accession number: SUPP2000.2635
Research Number: NCW: 2635
Inscribedpainted on crate to left of model: (illegible date) / Jas. Benbow.
ProvenanceN. C. Wyeth; gift to Thornton Oakley; descended in family to at least 2009
Curatorial RemarksN. C. Wyeth wrote to his family in January, 1904, "I experienced the keen pleasure of having the best sketch made in yesterday's sketch class. The subject appealed to me greatly, so hence a "masterpiece." Subject -- Big, burly [Negro] stripped to the waist, blue jeans turned up, barefooted, red silk kerchief around his head and an ugly cutlass in his hand. Bully color!--" (Wyeth Family Archives, Jan. 17, 1904)
While the model session clearly took place at the Howard Pyle school, the model has not been identified. "Jas Benbow," clearly written on the crate beside the model, may be his name. Howard Pyle scholar Paul Davis has suggested that the name is a fanciful reference to Wyeth's recent reading of an unnamed Stevenson novel, documented in a slightly earlier letter.
While the model session clearly took place at the Howard Pyle school, the model has not been identified. "Jas Benbow," clearly written on the crate beside the model, may be his name. Howard Pyle scholar Paul Davis has suggested that the name is a fanciful reference to Wyeth's recent reading of an unnamed Stevenson novel, documented in a slightly earlier letter.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:digital image directly from artwork
Photo Credit:courtesy of owner