One
of the most famous illustrators from America’s Golden
Age of Illustration was Newell Convers Wyeth. Also an
accomplished easel painter, Newell Convers Wyeth was born
on October 22, 1882. He was the eldest of four sons of
Andrew Newell Wyeth, a farmer, and Henriette Zirngiebel.
Growing up in a rural setting gave the young “N.C.”
a deep love for the land and a great understanding of
the human form in motion. N.C. had a keen ability for
recalling the smallest visual details of a scene---something
that would serve him well as an illustrator.
It was N.C.’s mother who encouraged his artistic
ability and she who convinced his father to allow N.C.
to attend art school instead of an apprenticeship to a
New Hampshire Farm. N.C. attended the Mechanic Art School
in Boston, graduating in 1899. He continued his studies
at the Massachusetts Normal Art School and the Eric Pape
School of Art in 1902. Through a fellow student, he was
encouraged to apply for the Howard Pyle School in Delaware.
Howard Pyle was the most famous Illustrator of his time.
His school was free to anyone who met Pyle’s standard
for artistic excellence and hard work. Within 4 months,
the 20 year old N.C. rose to the top of his class. Pyle
encouraged his students to paint from life, whenever possible.
Although
N.C was marginalized by other artists during his lifetime
because he chose illustration as his occupation, his illustrations
have stood the test of time as great paintings. N.C. became
one of the most successful illustrators in America, illustrating
such classics as Treasure Island, Last of the Mohicans,
Robin Hood and Robinson Crusoe.
Throughout his career, N.C. would return to his passion
for the land and people close to his homes in Chadds Ford,
Pennsylvania and Port Clyde, Maine. These canvases not
only have his illustrator’s skill of exceptional
facility, but also a deep understanding of the land and
the people who worked it.
N.C. Wyeth created what is one of the most impressive
art families in America. His sons and daughters went on
to become successful artists in their own right. His son,
Andrew, and his grandson, Jamie, are continuing the legacy
to this day.
N.C. was tragically killed with his grandson, Newell,
when his car stalled on the train tracks near his house
in 1945.
Bibliography:
Not For Publication: Landscapes, Still Lifes,
and Portraits by N.C Wyeth
Brandywine River Museum 1982
N.C. Wyeth A Biography
David Michaelis
Knopf 1998
N.C. Wyeth: the Collected Paintings, Illustrations
and Murals
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, JR.
Bonanza 1972
One
of the most famous illustrators from America’s Golden
Age of Illustration was Newell Convers Wyeth. Also an
accomplished easel painter, Newell Convers Wyeth was born
on October 22, 1882. He was the eldest of four sons of
Andrew Newell Wyeth, a farmer, and Henriette Zirngiebel.
Growing up in a rural setting gave the young “N.C.”
a deep love for the land and a great understanding of
the human form in motion. N.C. had a keen ability for
recalling the smallest visual details of a scene---something
that would serve him well as an illustrator.
Although
N.C was marginalized by other artists during his lifetime
because he chose illustration as his occupation, his illustrations
have stood the test of time as great paintings. N.C. became
one of the most successful illustrators in America, illustrating
such classics as Treasure Island, Last of the Mohicans,
Robin Hood and Robinson Crusoe. 
Bibliography: