Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
"Stick to him, little un," shouted Tom.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1930 / 1931
Dimensions:
34 1/4 × 25 1/8 in. (87 × 63.8 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.1250
Research Number: NCW: 1250
InscribedLower right: TO MY FRIEND / GRANVILLE M. REED (sic) / N. C. WYETH (underlined); on reverse of both stretcher and frame: #22994; written on top member of stretcher: ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION FOR / THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME; carved along top member of frame: F. COLL
ProvenanceThe artist; gift to Granville M. Read, Wilmington, DE, and descended in family to 2010; (New York, NY, Sotheby's, May 19, 2010, lot no. 70); [New York, NY, Sotheby's, Oct. 3, 2013, lot no. 158, sold for $149,000];
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 205; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.1152, p. 530, 531
Curatorial RemarksThe N. C. Wyeth House/Studio library includes a 1903 edition of this title (NCWS.95.655), illustrated by F. C. Yohn. The copy contains notations Wyeth made as he planned his own edition. The first owner of the painting was a friend of the artist and chief engineer at the Du Pont Company who hired Nathaniel Wyeth in 1936 (David Michaelis, N. C. Wyeth A Biography (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1998), p. 345). The Brandywine River Museum holds an archival photograph inscribed on the reverse in the artist's hand: The beginning of a Kentucky Feud / oil - 25 x 36 - full color. / N. C. Wyeth / Scribners. Until at least 2010, the painting retained its original frame, carved by Wilmington frame maker Frank A. Coll.
This book was not intended as one of the holiday gift books that Wyeth had done earlier for Scribner's. A letter to the artist from Arthur H. Scribner (Aug. 27, 1930), makes it clear that the publishers hoped to have this book out in May or June, 1931 (Scribner's Archives, Princeton University Library).
This book was not intended as one of the holiday gift books that Wyeth had done earlier for Scribner's. A letter to the artist from Arthur H. Scribner (Aug. 27, 1930), makes it clear that the publishers hoped to have this book out in May or June, 1931 (Scribner's Archives, Princeton University Library).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Photography directly from artwork
Photo Credit:Courtesy of Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, DE