N.C. Wyeth

N.C. (Newells Convers) Wyeth, the patriarch of the Wyeth family, is best known for his illustrations of the Scribner's Classics such as Treasure Island, The Boy's King Arthur, and Robinson Crusoe.

Born in the rural town of Needham, Massachusetts, Newell Convers Wyeth demonstrated great artistic talent at a young age. His mother encouraged him to pursue a career as an artist, while his father urged his son to pursue a more practical career in drafting. N.C. satisfied his father’s request and earned his drafting degree from the Mechanic Art School in Boston. Unable to quiet the longing to be an artist, he allowed his desire to lead him to The Howard Pyle School. It was there, under the guidance of Howard Pyle that N.C. developed as an illustrator. While completing his studies, N.C. received his first of many commissions for The Saturday Evening Post.

In his success, N.C. gained new enthusiasm for his work as his technique developed to not only suit magazine standards, but also contain painterly qualities. His ability to paint with an innate understanding of the world around him allows any viewer to be swept away to the many worlds he created.

In his studio in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, N.C. also taught three of his five children and two sons-in-laws, Peter Hurd and John McCoy, to paint. He instilled in his students a tradition of hard work and dedication.

Later in his career N.C. made the transition from illustrator to landscape artist. The scope of his talent is tremendous - from his classic illustrative art to his exploration and interpretation of everyday American life - he left a body of work that has become a national treasure.