A Fighting Chance

Artist:

N.C. Wyeth

(American, 1882 - 1945)

A Fighting Chance

Alternate Title(s):Man with Wolves
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1908 / 1910
Dimensions:
38 × 47 in. (96.5 × 119.4 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.477
Research Number: NCW: 477
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH (underlined) / Copr. W. M. Sanford
ProvenancePrivate collection; (Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, NY, ca. 1980); Private collection, New York, NY, 1980-1991; (Christie's, NY, May 22, 1991, lot no. 198, as "Man with Wolves")
References Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 285; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.5, p. 639
Curatorial Remarks"We are preparing for Art Calendar publication a reproduction of one of your paintings, and should like very much to receive a photograph of yourself (to be used) in connection with a descriptive title leaf for the reproduction" (W. M. Sanford, General Manager, Knapp Company to NCW, Aug. 11, 1911, Wyeth Family Archives). The Brandywine River Museum holds what appears to be a sample board on which a reproduction of the image has been adhered; printed below the image: COPR. W. M. SANFORD M1103--A FIGHTING CHANCE--Painting by N. C. Wyeth THE KNAPP CO., N.Y. (Brandywine River Museum library, #4464)
William M. Sanford was identified as a lithographer living at 50 E 19th Street in the New York Times of August 18, 1903. The Knapp Company, a lithography business, was located at 52 E 19th Street. In the first decades of the 20th century the company produced art prints, posters, and calendar images. Knapp was taken over by United States Printing and Lithograph Company in 1929.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Brandywine River Museum photography files