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Lot Essay
The present work was used as an illustration for the Sunday Magazine edition of the Roy Norton “Hardpan & Co.” series, published on August 31, 1913.
Before N.C. Wyeth painted his notable illustrations to accompany works of fiction like Treasure Island, he was famous for his dynamic and action-filled images of the American West. Prior to venturing West himself, Wyeth was inspired by the works of Frederic Remington and, after graduating from art school, took advantage of the opportunity to make the trek to the region that had long influenced him. Upon his arrival, Wyeth enthusiastically immersed himself in all aspects of Western life which he then recalled in letters sent home. He explored trails through the mountains, drove a stage, rode on the range and spent time at trading posts. In this way, N.C. Wyeth was an active participant in the world he portrayed, which allowed him to produce the exciting and quintessentially Western imagery for which he became known.
“Up with your hands or we’ll make this a shambles, now that we’ve started” exemplifies the thrilling and wild lifestyle that Wyeth enthusiastically wrote about in his letters. Wyeth spoke of the West as truly being “the great West” and such a dynamic, action-filled scene illustrates exactly this way of life. The painting was initially used in a Sunday Magazine edition of Roy Norton’s “Hardpan & Co.” series and depicts the classic Western narrative of an outlaw shoot out. This iconic scene recalls the thrill of the Old Wild West in a way that could only be depicted by an artist who fully appreciated and experienced it.
Before N.C. Wyeth painted his notable illustrations to accompany works of fiction like Treasure Island, he was famous for his dynamic and action-filled images of the American West. Prior to venturing West himself, Wyeth was inspired by the works of Frederic Remington and, after graduating from art school, took advantage of the opportunity to make the trek to the region that had long influenced him. Upon his arrival, Wyeth enthusiastically immersed himself in all aspects of Western life which he then recalled in letters sent home. He explored trails through the mountains, drove a stage, rode on the range and spent time at trading posts. In this way, N.C. Wyeth was an active participant in the world he portrayed, which allowed him to produce the exciting and quintessentially Western imagery for which he became known.
“Up with your hands or we’ll make this a shambles, now that we’ve started” exemplifies the thrilling and wild lifestyle that Wyeth enthusiastically wrote about in his letters. Wyeth spoke of the West as truly being “the great West” and such a dynamic, action-filled scene illustrates exactly this way of life. The painting was initially used in a Sunday Magazine edition of Roy Norton’s “Hardpan & Co.” series and depicts the classic Western narrative of an outlaw shoot out. This iconic scene recalls the thrill of the Old Wild West in a way that could only be depicted by an artist who fully appreciated and experienced it.