Description:

NEWELL CONVERS WYETH
(1882 -1945) Renowned American illustrator and artist who created some of the most recognizable images of his time, the father of painter Andrew Wyeth. Rare A.L.S. with superb content, 5pp. 4to., Chadds Ford, Mar. 4, 1909, to his first teacher and famed illustrator Eric Pape in Boston, in part: "...Let me say right from the beginning that the afternoon spent in New York with you was, above all, stimulating. When I left you I had courage, I had belief in myself. Your words of advice were a revelation and rang with truth, the presented and entirely new and invigorating outlook after the deadening pessimistic views taken by certain painters with whom I have talked many times. After seeing you and thinking it over, hard, I felt that my confidence, my enthusiasm had been blighted by a rapid-fire onslaught made by men who have achieved a little and who looked upon illustrations with a certain contempt. In short, they made me contemptuous of my work, consequently I become more or less demoralized. I do not refer to your praise for which I of course felt honored, but to your healthy, invigorating advice to paint, to get to work and paint, paint, paint - to study alone, to work with confidence, to paint things with all the sincerity and truth that I possess. Also I have belief in your idea that teaching is helpful, that the exaction demanded by pupils would strengthen one's knowledge of construction. It was all good - it was like a breath of fresh air...I was obstinate at the moment, I am aware, but thank heaven I have always had some of that blessed ability to be open to suggestion...I have in hand a letter concerning a position to teach at Columbia University. I am to give a definite statement within six weeks, so it is my purpose in this letter to find out just how you and I stand. Their offer from the financial standpoint is indeed good, which fact demands some notice, but with enough from you to give me a comfortable living I would much rather make some sacrifice in order to come to terms. Your idea is for me to handle the morning life class, the afternoon illustration and the evening class, two complete days a week...would you consent to allow me an illustration composition class once a week...In this I feel I could give students a great deal that would help them in their figure work. Such works as the above I look forward to with great pleasure and hopes...In figuring things out as carefully as it is possible I believe that for $1500 we can live comfortably and I can paint to my heart's content...". Eric Pape (1870-1938) was a renowned painter who taught illustration at his eponymous school in Boston and counted Wyeth as one of his early and youngest pupils in 1901. He routinely produced illustrations for magazines such as Scribners, Cosmopolitan, and The Century. By 1907, Wyeth's illustrations were appearing in some of the same publication as his mentor's, such as The Century, Harper's Monthly, Ladies' Home Journal and Saturday Evening Post. Furthermore, his submissions for book illustrations were accepted, the first being for Treasure Island (1911). Indeed, Wyeth was now being lauded as one of the great painters of the outdoor American life. In 1908, Pape offered Wyeth the job mentioned in this letter, but despite the enthusiasm for the position Wyeth evinces herein, he ultimately declined the post to concentrate on illustrating books. Light toning and a couple of rusted paperclip impressions, else very good condition.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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