This one’s for my friend Deuce Richardson, who is a tireless advocate for the art of N.C. Wyeth.
I was perusing the web Saturday evening looking for a copy of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Master of Ballantrae, which I’ve never read. Gonna remedy that this winter. You can’t look up RLS without immediately kicking up the art of N.C Wyeth, who created the definitive images of Stevenson’s classics, Treasure Island and Kidnapped.
Of course, that set me off down the trail, feasting my eyes once again on Wyeth’s gorgeous, muscular depictions of pirates and frontiersmen. It occurred to me that Wyeth was as important as anyone in lighting the fire of Frontier Partisans. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t carry those images in my mind’s eye. I was very young when I first saw his work for Treasure Island and Last of the Mohicans — I absorbed the art long before I read the books. I loved Treasure Island, but I have to admit that I was profoundly disappointed that Cooper’s books didn’t live up to the pictures they inspired.
Then and still, Wyeth’s illustrations beckon toward adventure, holding out the promise that life can be vivid — full of menace (Wyeth’s men are hard-faced, dangerous characters), full of natural beauty, full of action, full of LIFE.
To this day, I want to stay at the Admiral Benbow Inn, explore the forests of upstate New York, sail on the Hispaniola — and that’s thanks to N.C. Wyeth. The artists I most enjoy and admire all are walking the trail he blazed. In a way, you could say that N.C. Wyeth gave me my world.
Keith West says
Great post. I love Wyeth’s work. Thanks.
JimC says
Overdue tribute. I do, too.
Tommy says
I never get tired of looking at Wyeth’s work its fucking incredible!
Black Tyrone says
Simply a wonderful artist and a treat from Deuce. My son’s bedroom boasted ” Billy Bones” on his wall. Treasure Island and the Jungle Books were his favorites. Thanks for the memory!
JimC says
Glad you liked it.
deuce says
Thanks for the shoutout! While Frazetta — one of countless artists influenced by NCW — is my “favorite” artist overall, I consider Wyeth the greatest “American” artist. I’m not talking about the fact that Frank was second-generation Sicilian. It has more to do with focus and lived experiences. NCW grew up in rural Massachussetts and spent time out West as a young man. Frank grew up in NYC and did overwhelmingly SFF/Horror-themed artwork.
Wyeth illustrated the full sweep of American history from Plimouth Plantation to WWI. IMO, he was the first American painter — and I don’t ignore or forget NWC’s mentor, Pyle — whom Americans could point to and say with certainty, “THAT is a world-class painter.” His patriotic paintings are absolutely some of the best ever painted. In addition to that, he could also do absolutely first-rate “non-American” paintings, as his art for Stevenson’s novels, The Odyssey and Doyle’s THE WHITE COMPANY attests. A true titan of American and world art. His biography is also fascinating.
deuce says
Another interesting parallel between NCW and Frazetta is that both ended up living in and being associated with the Poconos/Brandywine Valley. I wonder if Frank had that in mind when he moved to the Poconos?
Fletcher Vredenburgh says
Beautiful. Wyeth’s work has formed part of my mental landscape for action and adventure since I first saw his Scribner covers.
Paul McNamee says
Evocative images!
Saddle Tramp says
A fitting tribute. Nothing stodgy in Wyeth’s work. Powerful and realistic in a magically captive way. It pulls you in and you can feel the scene alive and beckoning. One cannot tire of viewing it over and over again…
JimC says
Truly — it has incredible staying power.
J.F. Bell says
The man knew how to paint in myth.
…he wasn’t alone in that, but it’s a rare kind of talent.
lane batot says
Love his stuff, too, of course–ESPECIALLY his Leatherstocking/Mohican illustrations! The only book I have(just now….) with his art is one of my several Robin Hoods. Excellent! The ONLY illustration of his I rather am not fond of, is his rendition of Tarzan, which made me think he just really didn’t “get” that character very well……
Pat_H says
Great stuff!