Collection of the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA. Gift of The Gimbel Brothers, Inc.
1959.Gimbel.20
Farm Near Harrisburg
1940 (Date created)
October 1 1947 (Date published)
October 1 1947 (Date published)
Egg tempera, Tempera
Painting
Paintings
34.25 in W
x
15.75 in H
(Image)
43.25 in W x 24.75 in H x 3 in D (Frame)
86.5 cm W x 40.5 cm H (Image)
109.5 cm W x 62.7 cm H x 7 cm D (Frame)
43.25 in W x 24.75 in H x 3 in D (Frame)
86.5 cm W x 40.5 cm H (Image)
109.5 cm W x 62.7 cm H x 7 cm D (Frame)
American
Landscape with farmhouse in center surrounded by long, gentle slopes under cloud swept sky.
Harrisburg, the capital of the State of Pennsylvania, is surrounded by fertile agricultural country. Farms develop naturally on the long, gentle, open slopes that stretch for miles in all directions. Diversification of crops, and the habit of alternately planting and resting fields gives the landscape a checkerboard appearance, cultivated fields adjoining grassed areas." (D. Grafty, "Pennsylvania as Artists See it: The Gimbel PA Art Collection", 1948)
"In 1946, Gimbel Brothers, Inc., commissioned a group of American artists to create the Gimbel Pennsylvania Art Collection. This group of works was to 'present the story of contemporary people of Pennsylvania, influenced as they are by the state's geographical, historical, industrial, and cultural background.' In January 1959, the collection was presented to the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania. Our university received fifty-four works which dealt with the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania area to be displayed throughout the campus.
The long horizontal format of this work echoes the sweep of the rich Pennsylvania farmland. Wyeth has chosen the medium of tempera to enable him to capture minute blades of grass and the bare limbs of trees surrounding the small farm house. Here nature dominates with threatening clouds rolling overhead. Natural dangers are not all that threaten the farmer's life. In the far right on the horizon one sees the smokestacks of some industrial factory. The delicate balance between rural and industrial life so vital for Pennsylvania's welfare is subtly hinted at in this work. Wyeth has followed the dictates of the Gimbel Collection well in producing a glorious visual statement of life in the Pennsylvania farmlands." (M.R.)
"In 1946, Gimbel Brothers, Inc., commissioned a group of American artists to create the Gimbel Pennsylvania Art Collection. This group of works was to 'present the story of contemporary people of Pennsylvania, influenced as they are by the state's geographical, historical, industrial, and cultural background.' In January 1959, the collection was presented to the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania. Our university received fifty-four works which dealt with the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania area to be displayed throughout the campus.
The long horizontal format of this work echoes the sweep of the rich Pennsylvania farmland. Wyeth has chosen the medium of tempera to enable him to capture minute blades of grass and the bare limbs of trees surrounding the small farm house. Here nature dominates with threatening clouds rolling overhead. Natural dangers are not all that threaten the farmer's life. In the far right on the horizon one sees the smokestacks of some industrial factory. The delicate balance between rural and industrial life so vital for Pennsylvania's welfare is subtly hinted at in this work. Wyeth has followed the dictates of the Gimbel Collection well in producing a glorious visual statement of life in the Pennsylvania farmlands." (M.R.)
In Collection
ca. 1959, University Art Gallery Gift of Mr. Steve Osterweis, President of Gimbel Brothers, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.
ca. 1946-1959, Gimbel Brothers, Inc.
Gimbel Pennsylvania Art Collection # 20
ca. 1946-1959, Gimbel Brothers, Inc.
Gimbel Pennsylvania Art Collection # 20
Catalog of October 1, 1947 (first publication of the paintings)
D. Grafty, "Pennsylvania as Artists See it: The Gimbel PA Art Collection", 1948
R. Gigler, "Pittsburgh's Man of Steel", Pittsburgh Press Roto, August 12, 1979.
O. Francis, "The Saga of Joe Magarac Steelman", Scribner's Magazine, nov. 1931.
Roy Kahn, "Real Pittsburgh: Just an Average Joe", Pittsburgh Magazine, nov. 1985, 17-18.
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Feb. 25, 1948
John Oliver La Gorce, "Artists Look At Pennsylvania", National Geographic Magazine
Catalogue from March 1959 when the collection was presented at the new University Student Union at Pitt (formerly Schenley Hotel).
D. Grafty, "Pennsylvania as Artists See it: The Gimbel PA Art Collection", 1948
R. Gigler, "Pittsburgh's Man of Steel", Pittsburgh Press Roto, August 12, 1979.
O. Francis, "The Saga of Joe Magarac Steelman", Scribner's Magazine, nov. 1931.
Roy Kahn, "Real Pittsburgh: Just an Average Joe", Pittsburgh Magazine, nov. 1985, 17-18.
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Feb. 25, 1948
John Oliver La Gorce, "Artists Look At Pennsylvania", National Geographic Magazine
Catalogue from March 1959 when the collection was presented at the new University Student Union at Pitt (formerly Schenley Hotel).
Please note that cataloging is ongoing and that some information may not be complete.
Corporate commissions
Western Pennsylvania
Farming
Landscapes
Western Pennsylvania
Farming
Landscapes