Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Discoverer
Alternate Title(s):Balboa
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1927
Dimensions:
104 × 372 in. (264.2 × 944.9 cm)
National Geographic Society
Accession number: SUPP2000.997
Research Number: NCW: 997
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH / 1927
References
Special Color Supplement, "The Discoverer," National Geographic Magazine, vol. LIII, no. 3 (March 1928); illustration in b/w, ps. 14-15, "An Invitation to Explore," souvenir book of the National Geographic Society, Washington, 1933(?); Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N.C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), ps. 162, 267, color illustration p. 164; Michael Kernan, "Canvassing Wyeth," July 9, 1984, Washington Post, illustration in b/w p. C7; George E. Thomas, William L. Price, Art and Crafts to Modern Design (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2000), illus. p. 168, captioned in error "from children's playroom, Hotel Traymore, scenes drawn from "Treasure Island"; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), M.34, p. 613, 614
Curatorial RemarksIn a letter of early May, 1926, Wyeth laid out his vision for the decorations for Hubbard Hall. The main image would be "a romantic and stirring picturization" of "The Discoverer," with a radiant sky symbolizing "the glory and promise" of the achievement (attachment to letter NCW to John Oliver LaGorce, dated by NCW "May (?) 1926," National Geographic Society, Washington, DC). Wyeth was at work on the painting in October; a letter to LaGorce makes it clear he painted the picture in sections, drying and rolling the right side and mid-section before beginning on the left side (NCW to John Oliver LaGorce, Oct. 11, 1926, National Geographic Society). The Wyeth Family Archives includes a photograph of Wyeth on a stairway in the mural studio at work on "The Discoverer" (WFA, filed after May 10, 1926 letter).
In March, 1927, the artist wrote, "The "Balboa" is on the wall in Washington and it looks better than I had hoped for. I spent Monday last down there" (NCW to A. N. Wyeth, March 14, 1927, Wyeth Family Archives). The entire commission was completed by mid-October (NCW to ANW, Oct. 20, 1927, Wyeth Family Archives). A framed copy of the National Geographic reproduction was found in the artist's studio (see NCWS.95.6586).
In March, 1927, the artist wrote, "The "Balboa" is on the wall in Washington and it looks better than I had hoped for. I spent Monday last down there" (NCW to A. N. Wyeth, March 14, 1927, Wyeth Family Archives). The entire commission was completed by mid-October (NCW to ANW, Oct. 20, 1927, Wyeth Family Archives). A framed copy of the National Geographic reproduction was found in the artist's studio (see NCWS.95.6586).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:1. photography directly from artwork; 2. DETAIL (left side of mid section), photography directly from artwork;
Photo Credit:1. Courtesy of the National Geographic Society; 2.. Stephen St. John / National Geographic Image Collection