Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Mr. Rankeillor, the Lawyer
Here he sate down, and bade me be seated
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1913
Dimensions:
40 1/4 × 32 1/4 in. (102.2 × 81.9 cm)
The Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1242
Research Number: NCW: 1242
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined) / (written in ink) © CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SON'S; on reverse of canvas, Scribner's label adhered to upper right corner with following written in ink: Wyeth, N. C. B5727 / Mr. Rankeillor, the Lawyer / Here he sate [sic] down, and bade me / be seated. Kidnapped / [printed:] THIS COPYRIGHTED PICTURE... / (handwritten below printing) $150.00; on left tacking edge: Chapin; and again on left tacking edge: CHAPIN; on top stretcher bar in pencil: 8820D B5727
ProvenanceCharles Scribner's Sons, New York, NY; Joseph H. Chapin, and descended in family; (Frank E. Fowler, Lookout Mountain, TN, 2002)
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 219; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.477, p. 277
Curatorial RemarksThis painting is an excellent example of how Wyeth used family household objects and even architectural details from the house and studio in his paintings. The book case in the lawyer's office evokes the book case on the west wall of Wyeth's studio; its appearance and position relative to the window are almost identical, although the configuration of window panes in the painting has been adapted to look more appropriate to the period. The desk, the table and the chairs are reminiscent of pieces of furniture owned by the Wyeth family.
Notes and insertions found in Wyeth's copy of "Bonnie Scotland Painted by Sutton Palmer" by A. R. Hope Moncrieff (A. & C. Black, 1912), suggest that the artist used this book (NCWS.95.608) as a visual resource for the Kidnapped paintings.
Notes and insertions found in Wyeth's copy of "Bonnie Scotland Painted by Sutton Palmer" by A. R. Hope Moncrieff (A. & C. Black, 1912), suggest that the artist used this book (NCWS.95.608) as a visual resource for the Kidnapped paintings.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency directly from painting
Photo Credit:Jim Schneck, 1/2002