Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
The Spirit of Education
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: ca. 1935
Dimensions:
63 3/4 × 77 3/8 in. (161.9 × 196.5 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1311
Research Number: NCW: 1311
InscribedLower left: N. C. WYETH (underlined)
ProvenanceSilver, Burdett and Company, New York, NY, 1935; by corporate merger to present owner
References
"The Spirit of Education, An Interview with the Artist, Newell C. Wyeth," pamphlet published by Silver, Burdett and Company, 1935, and reprinted in School Music, vol. XXXV (Nov.- Dec. 1935); Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), ps. 242, 285; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), M.50, p. 622
Curatorial RemarksNo archival material documenting this commission has come to light, and the artist did not mention the picture in his correspondence. His published statement, however, identified every figure in the composition. The Brandywine River Museum holds a lantern slide of the composition drawing (NCWS.95.1825.29), and a reproduction that measures 20 1/2 x 25 inches.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Transparency from artwork