Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Portrait of a Farmer, composition drawing
Alternate Title(s):Pennsylvania Farmer, composition drawing
Medium: Charcoal and graphite on paper
Date: ca. 1943
Dimensions:
one piece - 54 x 64 1/4 in.; one piece - 53 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.
Accession number: 96.1.526
Research Number: NCW: 2290
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth; Carolyn Wyeth
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1972), b/w illustration p. 190
Curatorial RemarksThe Brandywine River Museum holds a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.249) made from the drawing and used in the transfer of the design from paper to panel (NCW 532). NCW 1445 is a less detailed composition drawing, and NCW 2199 is a study of the pig.
A six page "Story of this Painting" in NCW's hand (Wyeth Family Archives) explains that the picture is a composite of memories and Chester county scenes; the house common in the area, the barn one that had burned five years prior and remained in his memory. The farmer was based on Wyeth's recollection of a local man whom he did see with the pig under his arm, but who enlisted in the army before Wyeth could make portrait studies from life.
A six page "Story of this Painting" in NCW's hand (Wyeth Family Archives) explains that the picture is a composite of memories and Chester county scenes; the house common in the area, the barn one that had burned five years prior and remained in his memory. The farmer was based on Wyeth's recollection of a local man whom he did see with the pig under his arm, but who enlisted in the army before Wyeth could make portrait studies from life.