Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Captain Bligh was standing by the mizzenmast, composition drawing
Medium: Graphite on paper
Date: 1940
Dimensions:
27 1/8 × 20 5/8 in. (68.9 × 52.4 cm)
Brandywine Museum of Art, Bequest of Carolyn Wyeth, 1996
Accession number: 96.1.545
Research Number: NCW: 2073
InscribedOn verso in graphite: LANTERN SLIDE
ProvenanceThe artist; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth; Carolyn Wyeth
Curatorial RemarksThis drawing gives some insight into the way N. C. Wyeth drew and modified a composition. The artist added extra paper to the sides and top of his original sheet, allowing him to open up the composition. The Brandywine River Museum holds the copy of Pitcairn's Island (NCWS.95.604) that Wyeth read in preparation for the commission, which includes a typed copy of his initial illustrative program for the Bounty trilogy and a lantern slide (NCWS.95.1825.115) made from the drawing. NCW 1089 is the final painting.