Newell Convers Wyeth was more known as a book illustrator than as a painter. His son Andrew Wyeth is known to most of us, but the father less so.
This painting called 'Nightfall', is possibly one of N C W's best. For me it represents everything that is desirable, and possibly difficult, about country life.
I would love to own it, and have it on my wall.
The farm, I imagine, is Wyeth's own but to my eyes looks very English, other than the brown-coloured Silo. The folds in the landscape could be those of The Cotswolds, as is the colour of the stone from which the buildings are made. It is not at all the view of his son Andrew's barren plains and crumbling wooden homes that he so often painted.
The painting represents pride, patience, and maybe some concern. I imagine that most farmers would recognise something of their own plight in the picture. One can only wonder what is going on in the mind of the little red-haired child. I suspect she is seeing her whole life ahead of her.
What a beautiful painting.
32 comments:
It is indeed a very beautiful painting that tells a story. The more you look at it, there are small details that become apparent and you want to know more.
A classic of it's ilk. I could look at it all day long.
I thought the painting was of an english scene. I see he is an American illustrator and painter.
It's a lovely painting. I like the colours, it makes a restful , evening picture
The man looks a bit Aussie to me.
Contemplating the potential threats of the outside world, underlined by the brambles growing on the other side of the boundary fence. The girl is looking back towards the securities of home and family. Perhaps she doesn't see them yet.
The brambles are a nice touch. The painting is full of symbolism.
"Portrait of a Farmer" and "The Homecoming" probably share the same rural location. Like "Nightfall" they are moody, atmospheric paintings that cause the onlooker to reflect.
It does look as though it's set in the English countryside - I wonder if that was his intention? I find it rather depressing, and wonder if it was painted during that time. The farmer looks care-worn. Weighed down by worries of survival?
Nicely observed today cro
I think it must have been his own farm. That silo appears quite often.
He does look tired and care-worn. The war took its toll even on those who stayed at home to provide food.
Thanks to Mr Wyeth.
Looking to the west, into the weather that is coming.
Wyeth paintings are scattered all over New England in various museums, both large and small. I've seen so many of them, but admit never the one you've shown by Newell. The painting seems to show what could possibly be any typical rural valley area in Pennsylvania, which is where he studied with Howard Pyle and later permanently settled. It's lovely and the farmers face is so haunting.
It is a sad painting, the walls of the house are plastered with mud and no flowers in the garden. Waggon, horses, what looks like staddle stones for the barn at the back, it is poverty and hard work I think.
I am rarely moved by paintings, but this one really speaks to me. I love everything about it.
I'd imagined the house and barn were both built of stone, not 'mud', the garden looks well tended, and it doesn't look at all like poverty to me. We see things so differently, which is a good thing. Life would be very dull if we all thought alike.
I love the somewhat limited pallette - there is a subtle use of colour - looks like just browns, greens and dirty whites - but of course it is not so. It takes a good artist to mix just the right shades needed.
No Cro I meant the mud had rain spattered from the ground on to the house.
I don't know , if to a painter this is a compliment that your painting almost looks like a photo. But to me it does.
So realistic. Mother probably just called them to supper.
I could find a special place for that painting in my home as well.
Oh, sorry!
I see another of his with that storage tower in it. Pennsylvania farmer.
We have places all over the U.S. that look very similar to both of those works. Family farms. Here in S. Indiana it is not at all flat. More hills than flat. Beautiful country to drive through and admire.
A really beautiful painting. Apparently Wyeth based it on a neighbouring farmer whose wife was dying. It was painted in the same year that he died in a car accident, in his early sixties.
How funny. Just yesterday, I read a story about a woman who was collecting frames for a project, so she was buying up inexpensive old artwork at thrift stores, just to get the frames. She noticed that one had a signature, N. C. Wyeth. She laughed and thought that it would be quite astounding if it were real. Cut to the chase, her $4 picture was real and is slated for auction in September. It is estimated to bring $250,000. https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/painting-thrifted-for-4-revealed-to-be-250k-wyeth-original/458326
Absolutely. A truly masterful work.
I think it would have less atmosphere had it been a photo. He's managed to give the scene that little bit extra.
Sadly there's only one version, and I'm having it!!!
I have seen a couple of others where the same silo appears. I quite expect it was his own farm.
I didn't know that. Maybe the upstairs light was her bedroom with visiting doctor. That would explain the small girl looking back too. One can but imagine.
What luck. I did know someone who bought a Henry Moore drawing at a street market for a couple of £'s. It was clearly labelled on the back too. The seller didn't know who HM was.
Our weather comes from the West too.
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