Term Art Project

Newell Convers Wyeth, born October 22, 1882 in Needham, Massachusetts, was a man who as a child was put in the Massachusetts Normal Arts School by his parents and was encouraged in art by his father. As he grew older, Wyeth studied to be an illustrator at the Howard Pyle School of Art in Delaware from 1902-1904. While attending there, he was privileged to be taught by Howard Pyle himself. Wyeth is one of the most successful illustrators of all time who has painted over 4,000 illustrations for many books and magazines. Although Wyeth illustrated children’s books, much of his art was inspired by the American Western time period.

“Uncas Slays a Deer” is one of the many paintings that Newell Convers Wyeth had created. This painting was created in 1919 as part of a series of illustrations whose purpose was for James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 narrative, The Last of the Mohicans, during the summer of 1919. The Last of the Mohicans was a sentimental, adventurous, frontier romance novel. Clearly, “Uncas Slays a Deer” was painted as one of the adventurous pieces for Cooper’s literary works. The medium for this painting is oil on canvas which was used in order to provide the textural effect of making the painting seem realistic, while giving it a three dimensional aspect allowing the viewer to feel as though they are a part of the painting.

In the particular painting that I chose, an Indian called “Uncas” is featured. Uncas was a historical figure and was the sacred leader of the Mohegan people. Indicating the intention of this painting is Uncas mighty power as one of the Mohegan people. Some factors that signifies Uncas’ power is his broad structure containing massive muscles and the determination upon his face. The background also supports...

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...he Mohican people.

However, the bright, vivid colors of the background signify peace and tranquility. Uncas, on the other hand, is painted in the dark, possibly facing the wind dramatically, as if he is prepared for war and is protecting his land along with all of the Mohican peoples. This painting gives me a feeling of freedom and leadership. “The Last of the Mohicans” clearly shows that Uncas is an important person.

In conclusion, N. C. Wyeth was an inspirational artist. I enjoyed his works because the medium that was utilized for many of his paintings was oil on canvas. Also, his artistic themes dominantly consisted of the American Western time period. Most of his paintings were for James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 narrative, The Last of the Mohican, which made him gain his fame. Newell Convers Wyeth was an influential and important part of American art history.