Artist:
attributed to N. C. Wyeth
The Signal
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: Date not known
Dimensions:
H: 35 in, W: 25 in
Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Accession number: SUPP2000.317
Research Number: NCW: 317
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceGift to Gilcrease Institute from Gilcrease Foundation, 1955
Curatorial RemarksThis painting is related to NCW 852, "The Moose Call." Regarding "The Moose Call," the artist wrote,"I passed in a composition entitled "The Moose Call." One Indian on a lake in the moonlight calling a moose. Mr. Pyle liked it exceedingly and strongly advised me to remain and while in the spirit of it to finish it right up and take it on to New York where he feels sure I will sell it and that I can surely obtain work by it. The little sketch I'll bring home. It's no doubt the best thing I ever did. That is, the most complete and professional" (NCW to HZW, April 16, 1904, WFA). It was not Wyeth's habit to closely copy another work, however, and reference to "the little sketch" implies a smaller, not larger work ("The Moose Call" measures 27 x 19 inches). There is no mention in Wyeth's letters of a picture titled "The Signal."
"The Moose Call" was published in Scribner's Magazine, and Scribner's published a copyrighted art print of "The Moose Call" as late as 1919, making the image widely available to art students and copyists.
The Gilcrease Museum has no records that suggest a provenance for the present work prior to 1955.
"The Moose Call" was published in Scribner's Magazine, and Scribner's published a copyrighted art print of "The Moose Call" as late as 1919, making the image widely available to art students and copyists.
The Gilcrease Museum has no records that suggest a provenance for the present work prior to 1955.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Digital photography directly from painting