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N.C. Wyeth, Tramp Steamer, 1923, sketch for murals at Bank of Boston.

N.C. Wyeth: 2019 exhibition, part 2

Back in 2019, the Brandywine Museum had a major exhibition of the works of N.C. Wyeth: for more, see the previous post. The exhibition catalogue, N.C. Wyeth: New Perspectives, has excellent photos. This post is available as a video at https://youtu.be/gBhlN2yrbr4.

Paintings for institutions and advertisements

Aside from book illustrations, Wyeth also painted murals for banks and other institutions. The next two are sketches (each about a foot high) for 15-foot murals at the First National Bank of Boston. According to the Brandywine Museum’s catalogue raisonne of Wyeth’s works, the presentation paintings are now owned by Bank of America Merrill Lynch Collection. Presumably the full-size paintings are owned by that institution as well. I love this combination of colors.

N.C. Wyeth, Phoenician Biremes, 1923, sketch for murals at Bank of Boston.
N.C. Wyeth, Tramp Steamer, 1923, sketch for murals at Bank of Boston.

Soldiers of the Soil, 1942, was a calendar image for Brown & Bigelow (who also purchased many paintings by Maxfield Parrish). It stresses farmers’ contributions to the war effort. The flags are those of the US, UK, Soviet Union, Australia, China, and the Polish government in exile.

N.C. Wyeth, Soldiers of the Soil, 1942

Another World War II Brown & Bigelow calendar, this one from 1944. Best not mess with Uncle Sam! How our self-image has changed …

N.C. Wyeth, 1944 Brown & Bigelow calendar

Advertising, undated

N.C. Wyeth, New Year’s Day holiday poster, ca. 1921
N.C. Wyeth, Thanksgiving Day poster, ca. 1921
N.C. Wyeth, Independence Day poster (a.k.a. At Concord Bridge), 1921
N.C. Wyeth, Ringing Out Liberty, for the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1929

Below: this is exactly, precisely how I’ve always felt about books.

N.C. Wyeth, Books: Romance, History, Travel, ca. 1927 for the Poster illustration, copyright National Association of Book Publishers

Landscape paintings and portraits

Wyeth also did portrait and landscape paintings. This one shows the influence of (ultimately) the Impressionists.

N.C. Wyeth, Buttonwood Farm, 1919

Is the ocean off Maine really this color?

N.C. Wyeth, Black Spruce Ledge, 1939

Self-portrait

Look at the confidence in this self-portrait!

N.C. Wyeth, Self-portrait, ca. 1927

Works by other artists

Just to persuade you that the Brandywine Museum is well worth a visit, even when it’s not having a major N.C. Wyeth exhibition: here are a few works by other artists that were on display at the same time. This one reminds me vividly of winter where I grew up, in the hills of Pennsylvania.

John McCoy, Silent Fields, 1959
John McCoy, Early Spring, 1975.
George Weymouth, August, 1974

More

  • N.C. Wyeth’s studio was in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. His son and grandson, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, also became well-known as painters. The Brandywine Museum in Chadds Ford showcases all their works. N.C. Wyeth’s home and studio are also open to the public.
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